The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it is intensifying efforts to restore power to the northern parts of the country.
Sule Abdulaziz, the TCN’s managing director, said in Abuja on Tuesday at a media briefing that the ongoing repairs of the damaged transmission line that led to the blackout in the northern region would be completed by November 3.
On October 22, TCN reported a power outage in the North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central after the 330-kilovolt Ugwuaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped off.
The company also reported that the Shiroro-Kaduna line was vandalised, reducing bulk electricity supply to Kaduna, Kano, and other major cities in the north.
Mr Abdulaziz said the area affected by the trip-off had been secured with the help of the Nigerian Army, and a concerted effort was ongoing in one of the lines for restoration.
”Restoration of one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400 Megawatts (MW) of power in that corridor.
”Also, TCN is intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji–Apir on or by November 3. This will avail TCN to wheel substantial quantum of power through Apir to Jos to Kaduna to Kano,‘’ he said.
According to him, TCN is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for the security of personnel on the Shiroro–Mando 330 Kilo volt SC lines site for the commencement of rehabilitation of impacted towers in the axis.
Mr Abdulaziz attributed the blackout in the northern region to vandalism of Ugwuaji–Apir 330kV lines, which was reported on October 21, causing tripping of the lines.
He said trial reclosure failed, and patrol revealed damaged conductors due to vandalism.
“This compounded the transmission of bulk power to the northern corridor as these lines serve as a link between the northern and southern areas. This outage severely affected the wheeling capacity of TCN,‘’ he said
Mr Abdulaziz also said the Shiroro–Mando 330kv line 1 tripped off on September 9; patrol of safe area was done, but a faulty section could not be reached due to insecurity.
He said that efforts were made by local vigilantes who confirmed snap conductors on a tower, but they could not identify the tower number.
“Arrangements were made to use the local group to escort TCN’s engineers in the night to effect repairs in order to evade the bandits in the location.
“Unfortunately, we did not succeed because the bandits got wind of our intentions and laid siege in the area.
“Minimum supply was maintained to the North-West corridor through the second circuit until October 13, when the second line tripped off and failed to stay on trial reclosure,‘’ he said.
He said local vigilantes were again engaged to comb the area but could only access part of the safe area.
He said that due to TCN’s inability to access the area, it solicited the support of the Nigeria Air Force for unmanned aerial surveillance on October 17 and the impacted towers were identified.
Abdullahi Yakasai, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement in the North-West, said the federal government was working hard to restore power to the region.
Mr Yakasai appealed to Nigerians to be patient with TCN, adding that the blackout in the northern region was not a deliberate effort aimed at hurting the people.
“President Bola Tinubu is so concerned about the blackout, and he has been on top of the situation with the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and the managing director of TCN,” said Mr Yakasai.
