Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has commenced community-level engagement and compensation sensitization ahead of the reconstruction and upgrade of the Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV Single Circuit transmission line, a major power infrastructure project expected to significantly boost electricity supply across the South-East.
TCN, working in partnership with the African Development Bank, AfDB, and the Federal Ministry of Finance, carried out the sensitization programme for Project Affected Persons, PAPs, across 12 local government areas in Abia, Imo and Anambra States located along the transmission corridor.
Speaking during the engagement, the Project Manager, Engr. Omobola Sobo, said the AfDB-funded project would upgrade the existing transmission line to a quad circuit configuration using advanced quad conductors, dramatically increasing its power evacuation capacity.
“The upgrade will more than double the capacity of the Alaoji–Onitsha transmission line, improve supply reliability and ensure that the network can meet the growing electricity demand of consumers in the region,” Sobo said.
She described the project as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s transmission backbone and reducing system constraints in the South-East power corridor.
Also speaking, TCN Assistant General Manager (Health, Safety and Environment), Mr. Aromeh Adole, said the sensitisation exercise was a key step before compensation payments and the clearing of the Right of Way, RoW, for the project.
“This engagement is necessary ahead of the payment of compensation to Project Affected Persons and the clearing of the Right of Way to ensure the safe execution of the reconstruction work and protect public safety within the transmission corridor,” Adole explained.
He assured affected property owners that compensation would be paid in line with approved guidelines once the final verification process is completed.
“All affected persons will be appropriately compensated in accordance with laid-down procedures after the verification exercise,” he said.
TCN also disclosed that it will work closely with PGM Nigeria Limited, the Resettlement Action Plan, RAP, Implementation Consultant, to implement the RAP for PAPs and facilitate the clearing of the transmission corridor under the AfDB-funded initiative.
The Alaoji–Onitsha transmission upgrade is expected to play a strategic role in strengthening grid stability, improving power supply to key load centres, and supporting economic activities across the South-East region.
