The House of Representatives has sounded a strong warning to owners of illegal properties built on federal power transmission routes, stating that such structures will face demolition. The warning covers churches, hotels, private homes, and various other buildings set up within government rights of way meant for critical electricity projects.
Lawmakers voiced their displeasure during an oversight tour of the 132kV New Haven-Ninth Mile-Nsukka Double Circuit line in Enugu State and the Egbu 330/132/33kV substation located in Owerri, Imo State. According to a report by Punch, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company disclosed the committee's findings through a statement signed by its corporate communications head, Nazo Agim.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Kuye Ademorin, condemned the persistent encroachment and vandalism affecting national energy assets. He was joined on the tour by other committee members, including Mark Obetta, Lanre Okunlola, Sani Rigo, and Canice Moore Nwachukwu.
Ademorin questioned why approvals were granted for private properties on reserved corridors and warned that the National Assembly will not stand by while public funds go to waste. "It is not going to be business as usual. We are going to take drastic, appropriate steps to ensure that those structures are removed," he warned.
Beyond calling for removals, the committee urged authorities to settle genuine landowner compensations promptly and pay contractors on time to avoid project disputes. Lawmakers also appealed to the governors of Imo and Enugu to join hands with the NDPHC in clearing obstacles along the designated routes.
The committee praised the construction progress at the Egbu substation, which the NDPHC notes is roughly 85 per cent complete and scheduled for handover by March 2027. First awarded in 2006, the installation is expected to supply around 250 megawatts to Imo State, particularly boosting energy access for communities around Orlu.
