The Federal Government has revealed that ₦8.8 billion was spent to repair 128 vandalized transmission towers across Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Suleiman Ahmed Abdulaziz, during a meeting in Abuja.
He explained that vandalism of power towers has become a big problem. People caught destroying these towers are often released on bail and return to commit the same crime. This makes it harder to provide stable electricity to Nigerians.
Abdulaziz said that repairing damaged towers is difficult, especially in unsafe areas like the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna region. Military escorts are often needed to protect workers fixing the towers.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the government is working with the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB) to improve electricity in the country. The goal is to provide power to 50 million Nigerians by 2030.
The money spent fixing damaged towers could have been used to improve the power supply. Vandalism wastes resources and slows progress in giving Nigerians stable electricity.
The TCN boss called for stricter punishments for those who destroy power infrastructure. He also urged Nigerians to help protect the towers to avoid further damage.