A coalition of civil society activists has gathered together in the heart of the Federal Capital to access the programmes and performance of the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) and to seek ways of finding more support from Nigerians to halt the rampant cases of vandalism effectively
Story by Lucy Okolugbo and Prince Ebri Ukagu from Abuja.
Following the recent signing of agreement between Electric giants Siemens and the Federal Government of Nigeria, a coalition of civil society organizations, comprising the Network of Private Positive Initiatives, National Youths Progressives, Competent Hands Initiatives, Nigerian Youth Organization, Network of Public Service Professionals & Accountability, National Watchdog for Transparency and Good Governance, have gathered in Abuja to deliberate properly on the progress made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria and to ascertain if the management as constituted today are capable of delivering on the president Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Mandate and properly rekindle hopes of moving away from the current meagre 5,805,00 megawatts generated to serve the whole country! “We need to do this because the president is serious and we want to be sure that those tasked with the responsibility of implementing his policies are not sleeping”, disclosed Comrade William’s Smith Bassey, the convener of the Round Table.
The coalition, which met on Tuesday, November 11, in Garki, took the bold decision as stakeholders in the society and as part of their own contribution to nation-building. “We are here because, as concerned citizens, we have a stake in what happens in our country and should be involved”, declared comrade Williams. He said the coalition was specifically interested in the affairs of the Transmission Company because it has been consistently under attack by numerous individuals without substance, and now wants to set the record straight! “We feel what is happening and read in newspapers, what the government is doing to address the malaise of grid collapse; that’s what brought us here, to take a deep look at what TCN is doing”, said Comrade Williams. The coalition immediately embarked on a private inspection tour of some of the TCN formations in Katamkpe, Wumba in Lokogoma, and Kubwa New Extension site along Dutse Bwari road, where they confirmed the upgrading of the powerful 132/33KV transmission substation.
In Katamkpe, the coalition found the deliveries of brand new 60MVA transformers, as it did in other places visited. In Dawaki, the coalition found the existence of a newly constructed 132/33KV GIS Substation equipped with 2Nos 60MVA 132/33KV transformers; it was the same story in West main Lugbe, where another upcoming substation to be equipped with 2Nos 60MVA, 132/33KV transformers with 132KV outdoor GIS switchgear was in the offing. In Kuje and New Apo, two sets of 330/132/33KV substation is ongoing, not to mention the construction of double circuit transmission lines covering 172km from Lafia to Mew Apo! The coalition found out that it will be easier to predict that the bulk supply of electricity will improve tremendously before the year 2027. “For the first time, we are seeing real-time progress on ground and concrete efforts by the government to deliver on their mandate,” disclosed comrade Williams. He admitted that in the past, what was prevalent were phantom operations and ghost projects! “We saw situations in this country where the government claimed to be working, whereas the opposite was the case”, he revealed.
The coalition, therefore, commended the leadership of Engr. Sule Ahmed AbdulAziz for his unprecedented commitment to the task before him. “Honestly, we are really impressed by this gentleman who is doing this marvelous job”, he stated, stressing that people in positions like his are often distracted by contract awards and other frivolous attractions. “If we have more people like Engr. Sule, I think we would cover a lot of distance”, he further stated. Comrade Williams praised the TCN management for their diligence and tireless efforts at meeting deadlines. “What is most commendable is that you are seeing what money is budgeted and spent for”, he said. The coalition then called for support from Nigerians, urging them to help monitor transmission lines to guard against vandalism. From statistics, not less than 55 cases of vandalism were reported between 2022 and 2024, only reducing in 2025 because of the increased awareness and sensitization mounted by TCN. Mostly vandalized are underground cables to Generators, anti-climbers on towers, earthen conductors, galvanized bolts, copper cable lugs, and nuts. Many of TCN’s double and single circuit transmission lines suffered the same fate.
But now, TCN has put in place stringent efforts to protect these vital installations. “We can see conveniently that grid expansion is going on all over the country, including replacement of spare parts, re-conducting of existing lines, as well as construction of modern Control rooms to improve grid visibility. “This is all we ask for; when the government says it is doing something, the people should go to sleep knowing that something is indeed done”, explained comrade Williams. The coalition is proud of TCN management today, from what we have found out”, he announced, adding that we can now take the message home to our colleagues back home and address the media. For many years, stabilizing the electricity supply in Nigeria has been a major headache for the government; huge amounts of money budgeted were either stolen outright or frittered away on the altar of indolence.
At the last count, available records show that a staggering $16 billion had been spent without any verifiable! Blackouts became incessant, and so were the poor returns from the economy, which dived! It was said at the time that Nigeria’s ageing infrastructure had not been replaced for decades, thus creating the situation of frequent grid collapse. Corruption was said to have taken more of the lion’s share of the blame than the technical factor! The coalition commended the Tinubu administration for the immense support and determination to get rid of the rot and era of epileptic power supply, including grid collapse! The coalition plans to visit more sites around the country as part of their own corporate engagement and service to the nation.
They also urge Nigerians to wake up and be part of those monitoring transmission lines as part of their own contribution to nation-building. With new transmission lines and substations being constructed and installed around the country, it is a matter of time for the vision of 25,000 megawatts dream to be realized.
