The House of Representatives has threatened to demolish churches, hotels, private residences and other structures illegally erected on Federal Government land designated for power transmission projects, warning that continued encroachment and vandalism are jeopardising billions of naira in public investments.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Kuye Ademorin, said the National Assembly would take decisive action against individuals and institutions occupying government rights of way to prevent further delays to critical electricity infrastructure projects.
Ademorin issued 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.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the General Manager, Corporate Communication and External Relations of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Nazo Agim, the committee discovered several buildings erected along designated transmission routes, raising concerns about the safety and timely completion of the projects.
The statement said the committee had warned that illegal occupation of government rights of way and vandalism were undermining investments in the power sector.
Other lawmakers on the inspection tour included Mark Obetta, Lanre Okunlola, Sani Rigo and Canice Moore Nwachukwu.
Expressing disappointment over the encroachment, Ademorin questioned why individuals and institutions continued to construct buildings on land reserved for critical national infrastructure despite the existence of designated Federal Government rights of way.
He also questioned how state authorities could approve buildings in such locations, warning that the developments were frustrating efforts to expand electricity supply and support industrial growth.
“We observed the magnitude of investment by the Federal Government in building a sustainable power system for the country, particularly in our states, to help them develop their industrial base through adequate power supply.
“However, to our chagrin and disappointment, we saw a people who are not totally buying into the vision of a greater country for all of us,” Ademorin said.
He said the committee would collaborate with relevant authorities to address the encroachment and safeguard public assets, insisting that illegal occupation of government land would no longer be tolerated.
Warning those responsible for the structures, he 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.”
The committee also called for stronger cooperation between federal and state governments to address challenges affecting the execution of the projects.
Ademorin urged the government to prioritise the completion of ongoing electricity infrastructure, ensure contractors received prompt payments and compensate property owners whose land had been acquired for public projects.
He said timely compensation would help prevent disputes and prolonged litigation capable of delaying project delivery.
The lawmaker also 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, initially awarded in 2006, has received renewed attention under the leadership of NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije.
Ademorin expressed optimism that completing the facility would improve electricity supply, stimulate industrial activities and create employment opportunities across the South-East.
He appealed to the governors of Enugu and Imo states to work with the NDPHC to remove obstacles to the projects, particularly the encroachment on transmission corridors.
The lawmaker also advised Nigerians to investigate land ownership and government acquisition records before purchasing property, warning that unsuspecting buyers could lose their investments if they acquire plots located within approved government rights of way.
He said protecting and completing the projects would contribute to industrialisation, job creation, improved security and sustainable development across the region.
