The House of Representatives has warned that churches, hotels, residential buildings and other structures illegally erected on Federal Government rights of way designated for power transmission projects may be demolished to safeguard critical electricity infrastructure.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Kuye 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 Imo State.
According to a statement by the General Manager of Corporate Communication and External Relations at the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Nazo Agim, lawmakers discovered several structures built along designated transmission corridors, raising concerns about project delays, safety risks and the protection of public investments.
The committee expressed concern that continued encroachment and vandalism were threatening billions of naira invested in expanding the country's power infrastructure.
Ademorin said the National Assembly would work with relevant authorities to address the issue and prevent further illegal occupation of government land reserved for electricity projects.
“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,” he said.
The lawmaker questioned how some state authorities approved developments on land set aside for strategic national infrastructure, noting that such actions undermine efforts to improve electricity supply and stimulate economic growth.
Warning owners of the affected structures, Ademorin said the era of impunity was over.
“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 stated.
The committee also called for closer collaboration between federal and state governments to resolve obstacles affecting the timely completion of power projects across the country.
Ademorin urged the government to prioritise funding for ongoing electricity infrastructure projects, ensure prompt payment to contractors and compensate landowners whose properties had been acquired for public use. He noted that adequate compensation would help reduce disputes and costly litigation.
The committee commended the progress of work at the Egbu substation in Imo State, which is reported to be about 85 per cent complete and expected to be delivered by March 2027.
When completed, the facility is projected to add approximately 250 megawatts to the state's electricity supply and improve power distribution to communities within the Orlu axis and surrounding areas.
The project, first awarded in 2006, has gained renewed momentum under the leadership of NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije.
Ademorin expressed optimism that the project would enhance electricity supply, boost industrial activities, create jobs and contribute to economic development in the South-East region.
He also advised Nigerians to verify land ownership records and government acquisition status before purchasing property, warning that developments located within approved transmission corridors could be removed as part of efforts to protect critical national assets.
According to him, safeguarding and completing the power projects would support industrialisation, employment generation, improved security and long-term economic growth.
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