TCN, AfDB commence second phase of compensation for Alaoji–Onitsha transmission line project

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has flagged off the second phase of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Livelihood Restoration Programme for the Alaoji–Onitsha Transmission Line Project.

The project covered the upgrade of the existing 138-kilometre, 330kV Single Circuit transmission line to a 330kV Double Circuit Quad Conductor configuration spanning Alaoji to Onitsha.

TCN’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, represented by Assistant General Manager and Project Manager AfDB and Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project Phase One (NTEP-1), Engineer Omobola Odusoga-Bola, commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the project and the timely compensation of affected persons.

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 further disclosed that TCN is implementing a Livelihood Restoration Programme targeting petty traders operating along the existing right of way.

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The MD/CEO revealed that 210 small business owners had been identified within the TCN corridor, while 64 beneficiaries drawn from 32 communities would receive practical vocational training and start-up support across a range of trades, including fashion and tailoring, cobbling and shoemaking, catering and food processing, ICT and digital skills, auto mechanics, electrical installations, and other artisanal disciplines relevant to local economic development.

Also speaking, the project consultant and managing director of PGM Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bassey Uzodimma, described TCN’s approach as evidence of its commitment to responsible project implementation and meaningful community engagement urging community leaders to safeguard the interests of beneficiaries, ensure close oversight of the programme and work to maximise its long-term impact on the affected communities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The compensation exercise covered Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in Abia and Imo States, with the official flag-off ceremony held in Imo State.