News
TCN Benin Region Embarks On Grid Upgrade, Laments Lines Vandalism, Encroachment
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
By Joseph Kanjo
As part of measures to intensify electricity transmission Edo, Delta , and parts of Ondo and Ekiti states, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Benin region says it has embarked on series of projects aimed at grid expansion/upgrade in the sub region.
Engineer Isaac Okpe, General Manager, TCN, Benin region, stated this while briefing some selected Journalists shortly after an inspection tour to TCN Benin region, Benin sub region and TCN Ihovbor work centre.
While describing the Benin sub region as one of the most important regions as it is the hub of the national grid, Engineer Okpe said TCN has started expansion/upgrade at Ihovbor work centre, Edo State; Sapele work centre, Delta State; Omotosho sub region, Ondo State, among others.
READ ALSO: Edo Lunches Security Control Centre, Holds 2023 Summit
He added: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria has embarked on series of projects aimed at grid expansion and some of the ongoing expansion projects are;
Benin Sub Region
Project expansion/ Upgrading project of 2x150MVA to 2×300 MVA 330/132kV power transformer. Benin Sub-Region
Restoration of T2 40 MVA transformer at Okada 132/33kV line following the installation of 300KVA grounding transformer.
“Omotosho Sub Region
Project expansion at Ondo TS, upgrading of 2x 30MVA to 2x 60MVA Commissioning of new 2x40MVA power transformer at 132/33KV line at Erinje Sub-Station currently undergoing testing by NPDH.

Engr. Isaac Okpe (R) flanked by a management staff of the company during a chat with Journalists in Benin on Thursday.
“Delta Sub Region
Ongoing upgrade/expansion of 1x185MVA power transformer at Ughelli 132/33kV line.
Upgrade of 1x60MVA to 100MVA power transformer
Commissioned 150MVA 330/132kV Inter bus transformer at Ughelli last year,” he disclosed.
He, however, lamented that encroachments on TCN lines, the act of vandalism in the region have been major challenges in the company’s commitment in delivering quality service.
READ ALSO: Court Sentences Four To Death For Stealing Motorcycle In Ekiti
He lamented: “The major challenge we are having is encroachment on our lines. So many people are building churches, shops, houses under the lines, and this is a major threat and a major risk on their part. Even area people were compensated, they come back and build there, claiming that they were not compensated, so this is a threat to the lives of those who stay such places. People should not build under transmission lines.”
“Vandalism is another challenge. People deliberately go to the lines and cut them expecting them to collapse.”
He, however, disclosed that some persons numbering about eight have been caught in the act of vandalism, and presently being prosecuted in different law courts across the region.
He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to desist from encroaching on the company’s lines and vandalism.
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News
Court Restrains EDSIEC, Edo Govt From Conducting LG By-elections
Published
1 hour agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has restrained the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the state government from going ahead with planned local government by-elections across 59 wards in the state.
The Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was also a party to the suit.
Justice Mary E. Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the order on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, following an ex-parte motion brought to the court by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP, through its counsels, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka and P. W. Akwuen, in the suit marked: B/247M/2025, had prayed the court for leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct by-elections to fill councillorship positions in the affected wards.
READ ALSO:Court Orders Arrest Of 2 Lawyers Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation
The party argued that the councillors’ tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.
Justice Itsueli, who held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene, also referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, for the return date.
In the enrolment order sighted by our correspondent, the PDP sought “an Order granting leave to the Applicant to apply for judicial review of the decision of the 1st Respondent to conduct election across 59 wards purportedly to fill vacancies to their legislative seats/offices of Councillors sponsored by the Applicant, when their respective tenures subsist until September, 2026.”
The PDP also asked the court to grant “an Order that the Respondents stay further action and be restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by election across 59 wards in Local Government Areas of Edo State, particularly as it relates to the seats/offices of the duly elected Councillors in their respective Wards, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on notice for judicial review to be filed pursuant to the grant of leave.”
READ ALSO:Men Can Take Wives’ Surnames —South Africa’s Top Court Rules
Having duly considered the application and submission of the Counsels to the PDP, the Court ordered that “the applicants are granted leave to apply for Judicial review of the decision of the 1st Respondent to conduct by elections across 59 Wards, purportedly to fill vacancies in the legislative seats/offices of Councillors sponsored by the Applicant, when their respective tenures subsist until September, 2026.”
The Court also ordered that the “respondents are to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election across 59 wards in the Local Government Area of Edo State, particularly as it relates to the seats/offices of the duly elected Councillors in their respective wards, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice for Judicial review to be filed pursuant to the grant of leave.”
“This case is referred to the Honourable Chief Judge for assignment to a regular court. Return date is 30th September 2025,” Justice Mary Itsueli noted.
News
JUST IN: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Sanction Fee For Passenger’s Rights Violations
Published
3 hours agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
Kenya Airways has paid the sanction fee imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over passenger rights violations, including the case involving Nigerian traveller Gloria Omisore.
According to a post by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his official X account on Thursday, the airline settled the penalty on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, following a series of meetings that included the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, airline representatives, and officials from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“Kenya Airways has, on Wednesday 17/09/2025, paid the sanction fee as a penalty for the Gloria Omisore and other consumer protection-related infractions,” Achimugu confirmed.
READ ALSO:NCAA Slams Penalty On Kenya Airways Over Gloria Omisore, Others
He stressed that NCAA sanctions are not designed to punish operators but to strengthen compliance with safety and passenger-handling standards.
“As always, NCAA sanctions are not to punish operators, but to help improve their flight operations, especially with regard to safety and passenger handling protocols,” he said.
While commending Kenya Airways for complying, Achimugu noted that payment of fines does not conclude the matter, as the timeframe for resolving the cases has already elapsed. “The payment of sanction fines does not conclude the issues. The NCAA will follow through and is assuring both passengers and airlines of its commitment to protecting their rights and responsibilities,” he added.
Achimugu also emphasised the airline’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria, noting that the penalty was case-specific and does not diminish the positive aspects of its operations.
The NCAA said it would continue to enforce regulations to safeguard passenger rights and ensure airlines adhere to international aviation standards.
READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport
In February, Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore accused Kenya Airways of mishandling her during a disrupted trip that left her stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Omisore, who had been denied boarding on her connecting flight to Paris due to a missing Schengen transit visa, claimed the airline had earlier assured her she was eligible to travel. The visa issue resulted in a 17-hour layover, followed by an additional 10-hour delay for an alternative London route offered by the airline.
During the long wait, Omisore requested accommodation and care, citing exhaustion and health concerns, but Kenya Airways declined, arguing that such provisions do not apply in visa-related denied boardings. The situation escalated into a confrontation, captured on video, where Omisore allegedly threw used sanitary pads at staff.
In response, the NCAA launched an investigation, finding Kenya Airways guilty of breaching consumer protection regulations and misleading the public in its initial statements.
On May 7, 2025, the NCAA sanctioned the airline, ordering compensation of 1,000 Special Drawing Rights for each of the three affected passengers, including Omisore, and demanding a public apology.
News
Flood: Residents Chide Edo Govt Over Failure To Show Concern
Published
3 hours agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
Residents of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State have lambasted the Governor Monday Okpehbolo-led state government over failure to show concern on the tragic incident where a cocoa merchant, Frank Omoruyi, was swept away by flood.
Recall that it was reported on Tuesday that flood swept away a man earlier identified as motorcyclist.
The residents, while expressing displeasure over the state government’s failure to send any rescue team to help recover the corpse, said they paid what they termed ‘good money’ to divers from Benue State to recover Omoruyi’s corpse from a burrow pit at Uwenbo area after two days of intense search.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute
The residents who lamented that no state government or local government official joined in the rescue operation, threatened to protest and stop further construction work of the Benin-Auchi highway.
A resident, Samuel Osarenkhoe said: “Two Benue boys were hired to get the body out. We paid them handsomely. He was a cocoa merchant. He was our member and a good friend.
Another resident, Luis Ebabulu, said: “They were saddened that no government official visited the community two days after the incident occurred.
READ ALSO:Edo PDP Knocks Okpebholo Over ₦2.5b Donation To UBTH
“No government official has been here since the incident occurred. We have been contributing money to pay people to search for the body. We are coming out tomorrow to protest to stop the project. They cannot be doing roads and be killing us.
“Flooding and erosion problems have been worsened by the construction of the Benin-Auchi highway. The contractor channeled flood water to the borrowed pit.”
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, said Governor l has desilted drainages across the state.
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