The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced on Sunday that it is making concerted efforts to restore power to the northern region of the country following recent disruptions.
According to TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah, the company is actively collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to address security concerns surrounding the vandalized Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which is essential for delivering bulk electricity to major northern cities such as Kaduna and Kano.
Mbah, who serves as TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, conveyed the company’s commitment to restoring power as swiftly as possible despite the security issues that are currently hampering repair efforts. “TCN is working diligently to restore bulk power supply as quickly as possible despite prevailing security challenges,” the statement emphasized.
The vandalism, reportedly carried out by insurgents, targeted the Shiroro-Kaduna line, a critical infrastructure supplying power to northern Nigeria. In response, TCN and the NSA are working closely to secure the area, allowing engineers to safely commence repairs.
TCN’s Executive Director of Independent System Operations, Engr. Nafisatu Ali, emphasized that deploying engineers without adequate security support is not feasible, considering the heightened risks in the affected regions.
Ali also clarified that the power restoration would not be indefinitely delayed, dispelling rumors suggesting otherwise. She assured the public that TCN remains focused on re-establishing a stable electricity supply across the nation and noted that security measures are being put in place to facilitate the repair process.
The statement further explained that the current outage impacting northern states has persisted due to the vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, an essential route for electricity supply in the region. Security challenges in the area have complicated immediate repairs, delaying the restoration of power. However, TCN has attempted to mitigate the impact by temporarily rerouting power supply through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line. Unfortunately, this line recently experienced a snap, complicating the situation.
In collaboration with the NSA, TCN is making arrangements to ensure the safety of its engineers at the vandalism site so that necessary repairs can proceed without endangering lives.
Mbah concluded by stressing TCN’s determination to resolve the issue and restore stable electricity to affected northern communities as soon as possible.
