The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has raised the alarm over the indiscriminate construction of structures under the transmission cables within the Enugu metropolis.
The General Manager Transmission (GMT) in charge of the Enugu region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr. Thomas Inugonum, raised the concern when he led newsmen to inspect transmission lines under which residents of New Artisan Premier Layout Enugu erected several residential, commercial, and market buildings.
However, he stated that the TCN was doing its best to develop modalities to address encroachment into the right-of-way of its transmission lines.
While cautioning residents against erecting buildings on transmission lines to ensure the safety of lives, Inugonum warned that electricity transmission and cables could snap and fall at any time without prior warning.
“We’re at the New Artisan Premier Layout Enugu. Here are two transmission lines: the Onitsha-New Haven transmission line, 330 kV. The other line is from Ugwuaji -New Haven 330 kV Line, a double circuit.
“Here, we’ve noticed that people have taken over the right of way of transmission lines, and we’ve come here several times to carry out sensitisation. However, people refuse to comply with the law that they shouldn’t build within 25 meters on both sides of the transmission lines.
“You can see we’ve come here previously to mark the buildings for removal. Some of the markings in some of the buildings have been covered. We’re now enlightening people about the danger of building within the right-of-way of our transmission lines.
“What we’re seeing here is very dangerous. If there are any problems with the transmission lines snapping, the whole area will be on fire”.
Inugonum also noted that building houses under electricity towers had diverse health effects such as cancer, deformity and the reproductive system.
Buildings with electricity installations are hazardous to health. I don’t know why the state government should allow such buildings to come up within the right-of-way of our transmission lines.
“We’re appealing to the Enugu State government to look at the danger here and consider evacuating these people who have built their houses here.
“We’re calling on residents to avoid such acts. This is endangering people’s lives. This is the right of way. It’s not supposed to be built for anything for human habitation,” he said.