The Port Harcourt Regional Office of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced community sensitization for the youths of communities hosting TCN power lines in Rivers State.
At one of the meetings held at Igbu Ehuda community for communities in Ahoada East and West LGA, participants at the meeting called on TCN management to engage the youths for power line security surveillance as done in the oil sector.
The youths who were drawn from communities in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State pledged to provide security surveillance on the power transmission lines belonging to Transmission Company of Nigeria in their area, provided the TCN will give them the opportunity and encouragement.
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TCN said the meeting became necessary following the frequent vandalism of its infrastructure which last year, threw Bayelsa State into darkness for about four months, with a similar incident throwing more than half of Port Harcourt the capital of Rivers State into darkness for more than two weeks, few weeks ago.
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While refuting the allegation that vandals usually connive with some members of the community to destroy TCN facilities, a member of the community, Mr. Benjamin Emmanuel stated that such situations will become a thing of the past if the TCN can employ more youths from the areas.
Responding to all the concerns raised by the youths, the Regional Manager, TCN, Port Harcourt regional office, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa said the sensitization meeting is aimed at educating the host communities on the need for them to protect TCN facilities in their domain.
Engr. Akpa assured the youths that their request for employment, establishment of power line security surveillance and other requests will receive adequate attention from the government.
The sensitization meeting with the theme “The role of community youths in the fight against vandalism power installations traversing Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas”, is the first in the series and is expected to move to other communities hosting power installations belonging to TCN.
