Reps Threaten Demolition of Illegal Buildings on Power Routes

The House committee warns that encroachment and vandalism are delaying transmission projects expected to improve electricity supply across parts of the South-East

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has threatened to remove illegal structures built on Federal Government rights of way designated for power transmission projects, warning that encroachment and vandalism are undermining investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

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The committee’s chairman, Hon. 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.

Other lawmakers who participated in the inspection included Mark Obetta, Lanre Okunlola, Sani Rigo and Canice Moore Nwachukwu.

During the exercise, the committee observed that churches, hotels, private residences and state government buildings had been erected along designated transmission routes, posing challenges to the timely completion of the projects.

Ademorin expressed concern over the proliferation of structures on the routes, questioning how state authorities could approve such developments despite the existence of Federal Government rights of way.

He said the encroachment had delayed projects designed to improve electricity supply and support industrial development, while vandalism had further weakened public investments in the power sector.

The lawmaker called for stronger cooperation between federal and state authorities to protect public assets and ensure that ongoing infrastructure projects were completed without further delays.

The committee also highlighted the importance of the Egbu substation, which is about 85 per cent complete and is expected to add approximately 250 megawatts to electricity supply in Imo State.

According to the committee, the facility will significantly improve power supply to the Orlu area and support economic and industrial activities across the state.

The project, which was first awarded in 2006, has received renewed attention under the leadership of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije.

Ademorin commended the company for the quality of work observed at the Owerri substation and expressed optimism that its expected completion around March 2027 would boost industrial development across the South-East.

In a statement, the committee chairman appealed to the governors of Enugu and Imo states to collaborate with the NDPHC to address the encroachment, safeguard federal infrastructure and accelerate the delivery of the transmission projects.

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He maintained that protecting designated rights of way was essential to preventing further delays and ensuring that investments in electricity infrastructure deliver the intended benefits to residents and businesses.