Reps Threaten Demolition of Illegal Structures on Power Transmission Routes

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah

The House of Representatives has threatened to remove buildings erected illegally on Federal Government rights of way for power transmission projects, warning that encroachment and vandalism are delaying critical electricity infrastructure.

Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Kuye Ademorin, issued the warning during an 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 over the presence of churches, hotels, private residences and state government buildings along designated transmission routes, saying the developments threatened the timely completion of projects intended to improve electricity supply.

Ademorin said the inspection revealed the scale of Federal Government investment in power infrastructure, but expressed disappointment that encroachment was undermining efforts to strengthen electricity supply and support industrial development.

“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 said.

The lawmaker questioned how buildings could be approved along established federal transmission corridors and called for stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities to protect public assets.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) disclosed that the Egbu substation was about 85 per cent complete and was expected to add approximately 250 megawatts to electricity supply in Imo State, significantly improving supply to the Orlu area.

The project, first awarded in 2006, has received renewed attention under NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije. Completion is expected around March 2027.

Ademorin urged the governments of Enugu and Imo states to work with NDPHC to resolve encroachment issues and accelerate project delivery. He also called for timely payments to contractors and prompt compensation for landowners to prevent disputes and litigation.

He warned prospective property buyers to verify land ownership and confirm whether plots fall within government approved rights of way before making purchases.

Other lawmakers on the inspection tour were Hon. Mark Obetta, Hon. Lanre Okunlola, Hon. Sani Rigo and Hon. Canice Moore Nwachukwu.

Ademorin said completing the projects would help improve electricity supply, stimulate industrialisation, create jobs and contribute to security and stability in the region.