ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING ENCROACHMENT LEVEL OF RAFIN ZURFI AREA OF BAUCHI METROPOLIS ALONG THE CORRIDOR OF EXISTING 330KV POWER TRANSMISSION LINE

Abstract

This study assesses the level of building encroachment along the 330kV power transmission line
corridor in Rafin Zurfi, Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria, in relation to regulatory standards established
by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Transmission Company of
Nigeria (TCN). Rapid urbanization and weak enforcement of land-use regulations have led to
widespread encroachment into transmission line right-of-ways (ROWs), posing significant safety
risks and threatening infrastructure integrity. The research employed a mixed-methods survey
design, integrating spatial analysis using QGIS software with questionnaire administration to 145
household heads whose buildings fall within the 50-meter setback zone, as well as interviews with
officials from the Bauchi State Urban Planning Board and TCN.The spatial analysis revealed that
out of 8,315 total buildings in Rafin Zurfi, 606 buildings (7.3%) encroach within the mandated 50
meter setback of the 330kV transmission line. Of these, 87 buildings (14.4%) are situated in the
critical 0-10 meter zone, 214 buildings (35.3%) in the 11-25 meter high-risk zone, 198 buildings
(32.7%) in the 26-40 meter moderate-risk zone, and 107 buildings (17.6%) in the 41-50 meter
low-risk zone. Residential buildings constitute the majority of encroachments (80.9%), followed by
commercial (12.5%), mixed-use (5.3%), and religious/community buildings (1.3%). Findings
indicate that economic pressures including land scarcity, high property costs, and proximity to
livelihoods combined with regulatory failures such as lack of enforcement and public ignorance are
the primary drivers of encroachment. Awareness of regulations is critically low: 66.9% of
respondents were unaware of any construction restrictions when building, only 15.9% correctly
identified the 50-meter setback requirement, and 55.2% were classified as having "low" overall
awareness. Safety incidents are prevalent, with 46.2% reporting sparking from lines during rain,
29.7% experiencing minor electric shocks, and 8.3% reporting fires traced to electrical faults. Self
reported health issues include frequent headaches (61.4%), sleep disturbances (49.7%), and
dizziness (40.0%). Power supply disruptions are frequent, with 83.5% experiencing outages at
least weekly. The study concludes that significant and dangerous building encroachment exists
along the 330kV transmission line corridor in Rafin Zurfi, resulting from the convergence of
economic necessity among a low-income, poorly educated population and systemic failures in
regulatory enforcement, public awareness, and urban planning. Urgent multi-sectoral intervention
is required, including demolition of buildings in the critical zone, relocation of affected residents,
strengthened enforcement mechanisms, comprehensive public awareness campaigns, and long
term urban planning reforms to prevent further encroachment and ensure public safety.