The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced steps to expand the national grid with the reconstruction and upgrade of the 138-kilometre Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV transmission line, as part of efforts to improve electricity supply across the South-East.
The project, being implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), involves the acquisition and clearing of the Right of Way (RoW) under a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), the company said in a statement issued on Monday.
TCN explained that the project would upgrade the existing single-circuit line to a 330kV double-circuit quad-conductor transmission line, which is expected to significantly boost the grid’s capacity and efficiency.
The Assistant General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment at the AfDB Project Implementation Unit, Aromeh Adole, said the upgrade would dramatically increase electricity transmission in the region.
“The existing line is a single circuit, while the new line will deliver four times that capacity, fundamentally transforming bulk power delivery in the South East,” Adole said.
The company disclosed that compensation payments were made to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) between March 31 and April 2, 2026, covering communities along the transmission corridor in Abia and Imo states.
The affected areas include eight Local Government Areas within the transmission line corridor.
Adole said beneficiaries have been given 90 days to vacate the Right of Way following the payment of compensation.
Speaking on the project, the Acting Project Manager for the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP-1) under the TCN-AfDB Project Implementation Unit, Engr. Edeh Obiora Alexander, said the Federal Government provided counterpart funding to ensure fair and prompt compensation for affected persons.
He also commended the Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, for what he described as strong leadership that enabled the project to take off.
Alexander further praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the timely release of funds for the project.
He added that the transmission upgrade is expected to be completed within 18 months.
