•Threaten elimination of unlawful buildings on transmission routes
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Assets has threatened to demolish unlawful buildings erected on the federal authorities’s rights of approach (ROW) for energy transmission initiatives, warning that encroachment and vandalism had been threatening investments within the electrical energy sector.
The Chairman of the committee, Kuye Ademorin, gave the warning throughout inspection of the 132kV New Haven-Ninth Mile-Nsukka Double Circuit Transmission Line in Enugu State and the Egbu 330/132/33kV substation in Owerri, Imo State.
The committee expressed concern that church buildings, resorts, personal residences and even state authorities buildings had been erected alongside designated transmission routes, probably delaying the completion of initiatives designed to enhance electrical energy provide.
Other lawmakers on the inspection tour, in line with a press release by the NDPHC spokesperson, Nazo Agim, included Mark Obetta, Lanre Okunlola, Sani Rigo and Canice Nwachukwu.
Ademorin questioned how state authorities might approve developments alongside corridors already designated as federal authorities rights of approach, describing the state of affairs as a risk to vital nationwide infrastructure.
He stated the committee was impressed by the size of the federal authorities’s funding in creating a sustainable electrical energy system however was disenchanted that some communities had been undermining the initiative by encroachment and vandalism.
“We noticed the magnitude of funding by the federal authorities in constructing a sustainable energy system for the nation, significantly in our states, to assist them develop their industrial base by enough energy provide.
“However, to our chagrin and disappointment, we saw a people who are not totally buying into the vision of a greater country for all of us,” he stated.
The lawmaker warned that the National Assembly would take acceptable measures to make sure that unlawful buildings had been faraway from the affected corridors.
“It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to take drastic, appropriate steps to ensure that those structures are removed,” he stated.
The committee additionally referred to as for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments to guard public property and stop additional delays to electrical energy infrastructure initiatives.
At the Egbu substation, the delegation acknowledged that the ability was about 85 per cent full and, upon completion, would add roughly 250 megawatts to electrical energy provide in Imo State, considerably bettering energy supply to the Orlu space.
The undertaking, which was first awarded in 2006, has acquired renewed consideration underneath the management of NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije.
Ademorin recommended the standard of work on the substation and expressed optimism that its anticipated completion round March 2027 would stimulate industrial actions throughout the South-east.
He, nevertheless, urged the federal authorities to make sure the well timed completion of ongoing initiatives and immediate fee of contractors to keep away from pointless delays.
The committee chairman additionally emphasised the necessity for enough and well timed compensation for landowners whose properties had been acquired for public infrastructure, noting that unresolved compensation points might set off disputes and litigation.
He appealed to the governors of Enugu and Imo states to work with NDPHC to deal with encroachment, defend federal property and speed up the supply of the initiatives.
Ademorin additional suggested Nigerians to confirm the possession and standing of land earlier than buying properties, significantly round designated authorities rights of approach, to keep away from buying plots earmarked for public infrastructure.
