Relief as Power Is Restored in Parts of Northern Nigeria

Relief came to the people on Wednesday when the Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that bulk power supply has been restored to parts of Northern Nigeria after weeks of blackout. The lack of power has been brewing tension in the North with pockets of demonstrations in some states.

In a statement on Wednesday, TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah disclosed electricity was restored to Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe States around 4:56 pm on Wednesday after the 330 kV Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line.

The company stated that its engineers were working to commence repair of the second vandalized 330 kilovolts to continue the restoration of power across other northern parts of Nigeria.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully restored bulk power supply through its 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line 1 as of 4:56 pm today, following the completion of repairs on the vandalized section of the line. With the restoration of this line, the Apir-Lafia 330kV transmission line 2 is now operational; also, bulk power transmission has been restored to Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, & Gombe States.

“As restoration efforts continue, with the TCN engineering team preparing to commence work on the second 330kV transmission line. All necessary materials for the repairs are on hand, and work will begin as soon as the site is secured for the safety of our personnel to the affected sections of the vandalized 330kV transmission line two.

“In the meantime, teams of linesmen will re-patrol the 330kV line 2 to ensure that no other sections are impacted as the repair works progress,” TCN stated.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu said the root cause of the power cut was the vandalisation of the transmission lines of the Shiroro-Kaduna line. The damaged transmission line that led to a blackout in northern Nigeria will soon be restored.

Speaking to journalists on Monday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said security has been strengthened to allow the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to carry out repairs, with support from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) and military officials.

Also, TCN said the Shiroro-Kaduna line was vandalised, leading to a reduction of bulk electricity to Kaduna, Kano, and other major cities in the north.

Earlier, Tinubu directed the TCN to hasten repair and mandated Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA) to provide security.