Transmission Infrastructure: TCN Seeks FG Intervention For Right-Of-Way Access, Set To Boost FCT Power Supply With 624MW

The TCN Executive Director, Engr Dr Olugbenga Ajiboye (3rd from Right) and Project consultant, Engr. Anthony Uuajamah (3rd from left) flanked by other top TCN officers during the inspection tour of ongoing transmission projects within the FCT, Abuja. Photo credit Optimum Times, 29/01/26

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has called for the immediate intervention of the relevant federal government agency to prevail on host communities of its transmission infrastructure to refrain from constituting obstructions on its right of way.

The call was made against the backdrop of right of way hindrances constraining the completion and  energizing   transmission substations and feeder stations estimated to transmit within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, at least 624 megawatts.

Group photo while on inspection tour of ongoing transmission projects

The TCN Executive Director, Engr Dr Olugbenga Ajiboye  disclosed these while engaged in on-the-spot assessment of ongoing transmission projects in Abuja located at  Dawaki-Gwarinpa, Lugbe, New Apo, Wumbai, Kuje, among others.

On a general note, he said though, most of the projects had reached nearly above 91 percent completion,  he cited that issues bothering on right of way constitute a major setback, requiring government intervention.

In addition, he revealed that some of the transmission equipments are also waiting for clearance at the ports, even though he was not specific.

While giving an update on his observations in the company of other Directors and the Project consultant, Engr. Anthony Uuajamah, Engr. Ajiboye, at the New Apo Substation, said: “We are not where we expected to be because we are so constrained. Especially here, the line route has been constrained. And we are working around the clock to make sure it’s free to be able to achieve it.

“But if you could see in the other places except here where we have been to, two of the stations are completed and ready for energization. But because of the delay we have here, like Wumbai, until we get supply, before we can get to Wumbai, which is very close to us here. And if you look at Kuje, the moment we are able to resolve the problem here, also Kuje will get supply.

“So based on that, we will concentrate more on freeing the constraint we receive from the right-of-way to be able to put this place in. Because others are tied to it downstream.

“It’s unfortunate that Nigeria doesn’t see things as useful to both of us. So many people are so determined that we will not pass where the line is supposed to be. And there are some powerful people.

We will appeal to the people in government to please help us to appeal to them so that we can go through those routes and be able to get supply here. That is a major problem, this right-of-way issue.”

He explained that it was indeed necessary that the TCN  team embarked on the inspection tour of the facilities to be able to ascertain facts and figures on the extent of work done so far.

With this, Engr. Ajiboye assured that he would be able to brief the Minister on the constraints and seek the government intervention to facilitate completion of the projects.

He said for now,  “I have the facts and the figures with me to say, I’ve seen this problem, please let us see the minister, let us go to the presidency to resolve the problem”, adding that the timeframe for completing the projects is tied to resolving the right-of-way issues.

“That is a difficult situation until we resolve the right of way issue before we can be given time. Because it’s after that we will know the months it will take us to be able to erect the tower and string the lines.”

On his part, the Project Consultant, Engr. Anthony Uuajamah, summed up the expected electricity transmission on completion of the project, saying “So in total, as we have worked it out, we have about 13 by 60 MVA transformers on the entire central part of the Abuja feeding scheme project. And that itself would give us approximately about 624 MW of power.”