TCN Fires Back at FIJ, Defends N1.28bn Solar Streetlight Projects as Lawful Constituency Interventions

"The company stressed that the funds used for the projects were federal appropriations approved by President Bola Tinubu and not generated from TCN's internally generated revenue. It added that all payments were processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and received the necessary approvals from relevant agencies, including the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)." 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has dismissed allegations that it improperly spent N1.28 billion on solar streetlight projects outside its statutory mandate, insisting that the interventions were legitimate National Assembly constituency projects executed in line with federal government directives and due process.

Responding to a report published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the power transmission company clarified that the solar streetlight projects carried out in Jigawa, Kano and Kogi states were not initiated by TCN but were included in the Federal Government's approved budget as constituency interventions nominated by members of the National Assembly.

According to TCN, in a statement, said "it merely served as the implementing agency, a role assigned to it under established government procedures for executing constituency projects."

The company stressed that the funds used for the projects were federal appropriations approved by President Bola Tinubu and not generated from TCN's internally generated revenue. It added that all payments were processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and received the necessary approvals from relevant agencies, including the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Defending the projects, TCN argued that the installations support its broader efforts to safeguard critical electricity infrastructure across the country. It noted that improved lighting in vulnerable communities enhances public safety, discourages vandalism, theft and bush burning—activities that have repeatedly threatened the national grid.

The company explained that, with its 330kV and 132kV transmission network spanning the country, protecting transmission assets remains a critical responsibility, making such interventions beneficial to both host communities and the nation's power infrastructure.

TCN further maintained that there is no legal provision preventing it from implementing constituency or other federal government projects assigned by the National Assembly, provided they comply with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

It also defended the procurement process for the contracts awarded to Au Step Nigeria Limited, Empire Technical Projects Construction Services Limited and Ideal Engineering & Construction Company Limited, stating that competent contractors were engaged through due process and that the projects are being closely monitored to ensure quality execution and value for money.

The company urged media organisations to verify information with it before publication to promote balanced and factual reporting and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, TCN said it remains focused on its core mandate of transmitting bulk electricity nationwide while faithfully executing additional projects assigned to it by the Federal Government and the National Assembly in accordance with the law.