By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Management of Transpower Electricity Distribution Limited (TEDL) has criticized the indiscriminate destruction of its power infrastructure by contractors allegedly engaged by the Imo State Government.

Transpower Electricity Distribution Limited (TEDL) is a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) licensed by Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC) to distribute electricity within the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Group Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ezeh said that development had thrown some customers in the state into darkness, as both the Low-Tension (LT) and High-Tension (HT) poles serving them were broken and transformers damaged.

He noted that Transpower regretted the inconvenience and impact of the activities of government contractors who destroyed its equipment without notice.

According to him, the contractors ought to have worked with the company to agree on modalities for relocating the facilities in a coordinated manner.

“We are not against the state government carrying out developmental projects, but we are concerned with the continued destruction of our facilities without recourse to the company.

“To make matters worse, the state government’s contractors have continued to construct and extend distribution lines in an uncoordinated manner without consideration for safety standards,” he said.

Ezeh noted that on Aug. 30, in Orlu, six High-Tension poles behind Orlu Hotel – supplying electricity to Mgbee, Ogboko, Omuma and Ugbelle communities – were destroyed by excavator operators that were reclaiming land on behalf of the government.

He said that the singular incident resulted in the tripping of Orlu 33KV line on earth fault, leaving the customers without electricity supply.

According to the company, the development was reported to the Chairman of Orlu Local Government Area, who confirmed that the project was under the Imo State Government and promised to contact the operators handling it.

“However, efforts by the company to formally report the matter at Orlu Police Station were frustrated, as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) declined to record the case or arrest the excavator operators.

“The DPO instead advised the company to dialogue with the state government to resolve the matter,” he said.

Ezeh also noted that in the early hours of May 14, 2025, its Orlu District Office was visited with an excavator allegedly sent by the state authorities; and property and equipment belonging to the company were all destroyed.

“The Management of Transpower expressed concern that these repeated incidents look like orchestrated plans to frustrate its operations, which is almost crippling electricity distribution in the state.

“The company, therefore, appealed to the Executive Governor of Imo State to urgently intervene and address the situation.

“As a critical stakeholder that shares in the developmental vision of the government of Imo State, we are committed to supporting it to actualize its goals.

“But, we must be carried along in the plan so that it will be seamless,” he added.