The House of Representatives has threatened to demolish illegal structures erected along Federal Government designated rights of way for power transmission projects, warning that encroachment and vandalism are putting billions of naira in public investments at risk.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Kuye Ademorin, gave 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 inspection was organised to assess the progress of electricity infrastructure projects being executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
According to a statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Communication and External Relations of NDPHC, Nazo Agim, the committee discovered several structures built along designated transmission routes.
The structures reportedly include churches, hotels, private residences and state government buildings, raising concerns about the safety and timely completion of the projects.
Ademorin expressed disappointment that individuals and institutions continued to erect buildings on land reserved for critical national infrastructure despite the existence of Federal Government rights of way.
He also questioned how state authorities could approve developments in locations already designated for electricity transmission projects.
The lawmaker said the Federal Government had invested heavily in developing a sustainable electricity system to support industrial growth and improve power supply across the country.
However, he expressed concern that encroachment and vandalism were undermining those investments and frustrating efforts to expand electricity infrastructure.
He warned that the National Assembly would not allow illegal occupation of government land to continue unchecked.
Ademorin 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.”
Other lawmakers who participated in the inspection included Mark Obetta, Lanre Okunlola, Sani Rigo and Canice Moore Nwachukwu.
The committee also called for stronger cooperation between the Federal Government and state authorities to address the challenges affecting the projects.
Ademorin urged the government to prioritise the completion of ongoing electricity infrastructure and ensure contractors received prompt payments to prevent unnecessary delays.
He also emphasised the need for timely compensation for landowners whose properties had been acquired for public projects, noting that unresolved compensation issues could result in disputes and prolonged litigation.
The lawmaker commended the progress recorded at the Egbu substation, which the NDPHC said was approximately 85 per cent complete and expected to be delivered around March 2027.
Upon completion, the facility is projected to add about 250 megawatts to electricity supply in Imo State and significantly improve power delivery to communities in the Orlu area.
The project was initially awarded in 2006 and has received renewed attention under the leadership of the NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije.
Ademorin appealed to the governors of Enugu and Imo states to collaborate with the company to address encroachment and accelerate project delivery.
He also advised Nigerians to investigate land ownership and government acquisition records before purchasing properties, particularly plots located near designated transmission corridors.
He warned that people who purchase land within approved government rights of way risk losing their investments when the authorities enforce the relevant regulations.
The committee said protecting the projects would support industrialisation, create employment opportunities, improve electricity supply and strengthen economic development across the South-East.
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