TCN Defends N1.28bn Solar Streetlight Payments as Lawful Parliamentary Projects

ABUJA — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has defended its spending on solar streetlights following allegations that it misused public funds on projects outside its core mandate of grid management.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the state-owned grid operator addressed a investigative report alleging it disbursed N1.28 billion (approx. $800,000) between May and June 2025 for local lighting installations. TCN clarified that the expenditures were “Constituency Projects” inserted into the national budget by lawmakers, which the company was legally mandated to execute.

What TCN Said

Parliamentary Directives: TCN stated it did not initiate the projects in Jigawa, Kano, and Kogi states. Instead, they were nominated by members of the National Assembly for vulnerable communities.

No Internal Funds Used: The company emphasized that the money came directly from federal budget allocations via the official Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), rather than its own operational revenue.

Asset Protection Strategy: While acknowledging its primary role is bulk power transmission, TCN argued that well-lit rural communities help deter vandalism, sabotage, and theft along its high-voltage transmission lines.

Procurement Compliance: The firm insisted all contractor payments cited in the report adhered strictly to Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act and received necessary regulatory clearances.

Context: The “Constituency Project” System

In Nigeria, members of the National Assembly frequently allocate capital funds in the federal budget for local infrastructure projects—known as constituency interventions—to benefit their voters. Executive agencies and state enterprises are often assigned to implement these projects on behalf of lawmakers, even if the work falls outside the agency’s primary operational focus.

TCN urged media outlets and stakeholders to verify details before publication to prevent public misunderstanding, reiterating its core focus remains the reliable transmission of electricity across the country.