FG Earmarks N5.6bn To Tackle Power Assets Vandalisation

The Federal Government has earmarked N5.6bn in the proposed 2026 budget of the Federal Ministry of Power for advocacy and orientation programmes to curb the persistent vandalisation of electricity infrastructure across the country.

The allocation, tagged “Advocacy and Orientation on Power Assets Vandalisation and Power Projects”, is listed as an ongoing intervention in the ministry’s capital expenditure.

THE WHISTLER reports that a total of 18 of its transmission towers were vandalised between 9 and 14 January 2024.

According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the incidents were recorded in Rivers, Abia, and Kano States.
THE WHISLTER also gathered that vandalism of transmission towers, distribution equipment and other critical assets has remained a major challenge in Nigeria’s power sector.

This had resulted in prolonged outages, increased repair costs and reduced system reliability.

However, the new proposed advocacy programme is expected to focus on public sensitisation, stakeholder engagement and community-based campaigns to promote the protection of power assets and enhance ownership at the grassroots level.

The N5.6bn provision forms part of a broader N1.107tn total budget proposed for the Ministry of Power in 2026.

The breakdown shows N6.17bn is for personnel costs, N4.21bn for overheads, and N1.096tn for capital expenditure.

The ministry’s capital budget reflects continued investment in renewable energy and grid expansion.

Also captured in the proposed budget for the Federal Ministry of Power is the N17.32bn Light Up Our Highways solar street lighting project.

The project targets major highways across the six geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope agenda.