Newsonline– The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Benin region has embarked on a series of projects aimed at grid expansion and upgrade in the sub region.
Mr Isaac Okpe, General Manager, TCN, Benin region, stated this in Benin on Friday after a tour of the region, sub region and Ihovbor work centre said that the project was part of measures to intensify electricity transmission in Edo, Delta and parts of Ondo and Ekiti states.
Okpe said the Benin sub region was one of the most important regions, a hub of the national grid,
The TCN boss said that the company started the expansion and upgrade at Ihovbor work centre in Edo, Sapele work centre, Delta, and Omotosho sub region, Ondo.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria has embarked on a series of projects aimed at grid expansion and some of the ongoing expansion projects are as follows.
Benin Sub Region – Project expansion and upgrading project of 2x150MVA to 2×300 MVA 330/132kV power transformer.
Benin Sub-Region – Restoration of T2 40 MVA transformer at Okada 132/33kV line following the installation of 300KVA grounding transformer.
Omotosho Sub Region – Project expansion at Ondo TS, upgrading of 2x 30MVA to 2x 60MVA commissioning of new 2x40MVA power transformer at 132/33KV line at Erinje Sub-Station currently undergoing testing by NPDH.
The general manager further said that other areas of expansion included; Delta Sub Region, Ongoing upgrade and expansion of 1x185MVA power transformer at Ughelli 132/33kVA line.
“And an upgrade of 1x60MVA to 100MVA power transformer and commissioned 150MVA 330/132kV inter bus transformer at Ughelli last year,” he said.
Okpe, however, lamented that encroachments on TCN lines and acts of vandalism in the region had been the major challenges facing the company and hindering quality service delivery
“The major challenge we are having is encroachment on our lines. So many people are building churches, shops and houses under the lines.
“And this is a major threat and a major risk on their part. Even in areas people have been compensated for their lands acquired, they come back and built there, claiming that they were not compensated.
“This is a threat to the lives of those who stay in such places. People should not build under transmission lines.
“Vandalism is another challenge. People deliberately go to the lines and cut them expecting them to collapse,” he added
Okpe said that about eight people had been caught in the act of vandalism and are currently being prosecuted in different law courts across the region.
