TCN and Kano state resolve land dispute, clear path for major power line project

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Kano State Government have successfully resolved a protracted legal dispute, removing the final significant hurdle to the completion of the critical Kumbotso–Rimin Zakara 330kV transmission line project.

This breakthrough followed a high-level meeting convened on July 21, 2025, by the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, aimed at addressing long-standing issues concerning land ownership and compensation that had led to litigation and stalled the project’s progress.

In a statement issued on Friday by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs at TCN, it was confirmed that under the terms of the new agreement, the Kano State Government will undertake to compensate individuals whose cases remain under legal consideration and provide alternative land to other affected parties.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria, Kano Region, and the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning have reached a pivotal agreement to resolve legal disputes that had stalled the Kumbotso–Rimin Zakara 330kV transmission line project,” the statement read.

Mbah expressed optimism that with the legal issues now out of the way, work on the transmission line would progress swiftly, marking a significant milestone in efforts to boost power supply and industrial development across the Northern region.

The Kumbotso–Rimin Zakara 330kV line is expected to substantially enhance the electricity transmission capacity of the national grid, thereby supporting economic growth and industrial development in the region.

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In a separate but related report, TCN also disclosed a grim incident of vandalism in Ebonyi State.

A suspected vandal was electrocuted on July 19, 2025, while allegedly attempting to sabotage a high-voltage facility.

The incident occurred on Tower 34 along the Nkalagu–Abakaliki 132kV transmission line.

“The body of the vandal, who was electrocuted while trying to vandalize the tower, has been recovered,” the company stated.

TCN reiterated its stern warning to the public about the extreme dangers of tampering with power infrastructure, emphasizing that such facilities carry high voltage and pose severe safety hazards.

The company urged the public to safeguard power installations in their communities and to promptly report any suspicious activity to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.

The recurring issue of vandalism on transmission infrastructure and distribution equipment has been a significant challenge across Nigeria.

A report from “The PUNCH” highlighted that in January 2025, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed that over N9 billion was spent in 2024 alone to restore vandalized power infrastructure in the northern part of the country.