The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has commenced the second phase of compensation for the Alaoji–Onitsha transmission line project.

The project is being implemented under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and the Livelihood Restoration Programme. 

Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s general manager, public affairs, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said that the compensation was conducted from May 12 to May 13.

She said that the exercise covered project-affected persons (PAPs) in Abia and Imo states, with the official inauguration held in Imo.

According to her, the project entails upgrading the existing 138-kilometre, 330-kilovolt (kV) single-circuit transmission line to a 330-kV double-circuit, quad-conductor configuration spanning Alaoji to Onitsha.

The statement quoted the Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, as commending President Bola Tinubu on his administration’s commitment to implementing the project and to the timely compensation of affected persons.

Mr Abdulaziz was represented by Omobola Odusoga-Bola, the general manager and project manager of AfDB, and the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project Phase One (NTEP-1),

He explained that the current phase centres on compensating persons whose crops fall within the transmission line corridor, following an earlier phase in which individuals whose structures were impacted received compensation.

He said that TCN was implementing a livelihood restoration programme targeting petty traders operating along the existing right-of-way.

Mr Abdulaziz said that 210 small business owners had been identified within the TCN corridor.

He said that 64 beneficiaries drawn from 32 communities would receive practical vocational training and start-up support across a range of trades.

According to him, the trades include fashion and tailoring, cobbling and shoe making, catering and food processing, and ICT.

Others, he said, are digital skills, auto mechanics, electrical installations, and other artisanal disciplines relevant to local economic development.

Also speaking, Bassey Uzodinma, project consultant and managing director of PGM Nigeria Limited, described TCN’s approach as evidence of its commitment to responsible project implementation and meaningful community engagement.

He urged community leaders to safeguard beneficiaries’ interests, ensure close programme oversight, and work to maximise its long-term impact on affected communities. 

(NAN)