The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has revealed that the completion of the 624-megawatt Abuja Feeding Scheme—expected to substantially improve electricity supply to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—has been delayed due to unresolved right-of-way (RoW) issues along transmission line routes.
According to TCN, the donor-funded project is about 91 percent complete and, when finished, will significantly boost power delivery to Abuja and its surrounding communities.
The scheme consists of five major substations located at Dawaki, Lugbe, Kuje, Wumba, and Apo, all interconnected by 132kV transmission lines designed to strengthen the capital’s electricity network.
Speaking after an inspection tour of the project sites on Thursday, Engr. Oluwagbenga Ajiboye, TCN’s Executive Director of Transmission Service Provider, explained that persistent right-of-way disputes—particularly around the Wumba axis—remain the biggest obstacle to completion.
“We are not where we expected to be because of the constraints we are facing, especially on the right-of-way along the transmission routes,” Ajiboye said. “We are working round the clock to resolve these issues so the project can be completed.”
He noted that two substations have already been completed and are ready for energisation, but progress has stalled at certain points due to access restrictions.
“Except for the areas affected by these challenges, the substations are ready. Once supply gets to this point—Wumba, which is very close—will be energised, and Kuje will also receive power as soon as the issues are resolved,” he explained.
Ajiboye lamented that some residents, including influential individuals, were obstructing approved transmission corridors, despite the project’s public benefit.
“It is unfortunate that some Nigerians do not see this project as beneficial to everyone. There are people insisting that transmission lines must not pass through approved routes, and some of them are very powerful,” he said.
He urged relevant government authorities to step in and mediate with affected parties, stressing that right-of-way disputes remain the major bottleneck holding back project completion.
Also speaking, the project consultant, Engr. Anthony Uuajamah, said the Kuje substation (Lot 5A) is a 3x60MVA facility with nine outgoing feeders, while the Wumba substation (Lot 5B) has a 2x60MVA capacity.
He added that the project includes multiple substation and transmission line extensions, featuring a total of 13 transformers of 60MVA each, translating to an overall capacity of 624 megawatts.
