Reps threaten demolition of buildings on power project routes

File: House of Representatives

The House of Representatives has threatened to demolish churches, hotels, private residences and other structures illegally erected on Federal Government rights of way designated for power transmission projects, warning that continued encroachment and vandalism are putting billions of naira in public investments at risk.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Kuye Ademorin, said the National Assembly would take decisive action against illegal occupants of government land to prevent further delays to electricity infrastructure projects across the country.

Ademorin spoke 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.

According to a statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Communication and External Relations of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Nazo Agim, on Friday, the committee discovered several buildings constructed along designated transmission routes, raising concerns about the safety and timely completion of the projects.

The statement read, “The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has threatened to remove illegal structures erected on Federal Government rights of way for power transmission projects being executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, warning that encroachment and vandalism are undermining investments in the power sector.”

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

The committee chairman expressed disappointment that individuals and institutions continued to erect structures on land reserved for critical national infrastructure, despite the existence of Federal Government rights of way.

He questioned how state authorities could approve buildings on such locations, warning that the developments were undermining efforts to expand electricity supply and support industrial growth.

“We observed the magnitude of investment by the Federal Government in building a sustainable power system for the country, particularly in our states, to help them develop their industrial base through adequate power supply.

“However, to our chagrin and disappointment, we saw a people who are not totally buying into the vision of a greater country for all of us,” Ademorin said.

He said the committee would work with relevant authorities to address the encroachment and protect public assets, adding that the National Assembly would not allow illegal occupation of government land to continue unchecked.

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Warning those responsible for the developments, he said, “It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to take drastic, appropriate steps to ensure that those structures are removed.”

The committee also called for stronger cooperation between federal and state governments to resolve issues affecting the projects.

Ademorin urged the government to prioritise the completion of ongoing power infrastructure, ensure contractors received prompt payments and compensate landowners whose properties were acquired for public projects.

He said timely compensation would help prevent disputes and prolonged litigation that could further delay project execution.

The lawmaker commended the quality of work at the Egbu substation, which the NDPHC said was about 85 per cent complete and expected to be delivered around March 2027.

The facility is projected to add approximately 250 megawatts to electricity supply in Imo State and significantly improve power delivery to communities in the Orlu area.

The project, which was first awarded in 2006, has received renewed attention under the leadership of the NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije.

Ademorin expressed optimism that its completion would improve electricity supply, stimulate industrial activities and create employment opportunities across the South-East.

He appealed to the governors of Enugu and Imo states to collaborate with the NDPHC to remove obstacles to project delivery, particularly the encroachment on transmission corridors.

He also advised Nigerians to conduct proper investigations into land ownership and government acquisition status before purchasing property, warning that unsuspecting buyers risk losing investments in plots located within approved rights of way.

The lawmaker said protecting and completing the projects would contribute to industrialisation, job creation, improved security and lasting peace in the region.