Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has begun the second phase of compensation for residents affected by the construction of the 330-kilovolt Double Circuit Mando–Rimin Zakara Transmission Line Project.
The compensation exercise, which started in Shika, Zaria on Thursday, saw more than two thousand project affected persons receive payments for properties and land impacted by the transmission corridor.
Speaking during the exercise, the Project Manager, Engr Omobola Odusoga Sobo, disclosed that over five thousand five hundred affected persons were identified along the Mando–Rimin Zakara route, with about two thousand covered in the current phase.
She explained that the clearing of the Right of Way remains a key requirement before the commencement of transmission projects, noting that it helps to guarantee safety, protect infrastructure, and ensure smooth execution of the project.
The project manager commended district heads and community leaders for supporting sensitisation efforts and encouraging residents to cooperate with the process.
She also acknowledged the backing of the Federal Government and the African Development Bank in driving the project.
In his remarks, the District Head of Rigasa, Muhammed Aminu Idris, praised TCN for maintaining transparency and carrying community leaders along throughout the compensation process.
He expressed confidence that the project would strengthen electricity supply and boost economic activities across Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano.
The exercise included screening and verification of original documents to ensure that only legitimate claimants received compensation, in line with due process and accountability standards.
Some beneficiaries who spoke during the exercise applauded the transparent conduct of the payments and pledged continued support for the project.
The transmission line will stretch from the Mando Transmission Substation in Kaduna State to the Rimin Zakara Transmission Substation in Kano State, with an additional connection to the new Jaja substation in Zaria.
However, TCN says the project is one of the major power transmission reinforcement initiatives in Northern Nigeria and is expected to improve grid reliability, expand electricity transmission capacity, and support industrial growth across key economic corridors.