Security challenges slowing down efforts to restore power in the north

Omeiza Bilal

The transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that despite the security challenges, it is working round the clock to ensure that bulk power is restored to northern Nigeria.

General Manager (Public Affairs) Ndidi Mbah, in a statement said without securing the area, it would be risky to deploy engineers that would carry out the repairs.

Accordong to the statement, “Contrary to media reports suggesting an indefinite power outage in parts of Northern Nigeria, erroneously attributed to the Executive Director (Independent System Operator), Engr. (Mrs) Nafisatu Ali, while speaking at the recently held NERC public hearing, TCN would like to state categorically that it is working diligently to restore bulk power supply as quickly as possible despite prevailing security challenges.

“Engr. (Mrs) Nafisatu Ali, in her address at the hearing, said that the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which supplies power to Northern Nigeria, was vandalized by insurgents and in response, TCN has partnered with the National Security Adviser’s office to secure the area, enabling her engineers to work safely on the restoration.

“Engr. Ali emphasized that deploying engineers without security support is not feasible, given the risks in the region. She therefore dispelled any suggestion that restoration would be indefinite, stressing that TCN’s focus remains on ensuring an even supply of electricity nationwide and that security arrangements were underway.

“The current outage affecting Northern states for several days now is a result of vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line—a critical infrastructure that supplies electricity to the region. Prevailing insecurity in the area has delayed the immediate repair necessary to restore supply.

“However, as a temporary measure, TCN had rerouted bulk power supply through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line, which recently snapped.”

The company explained that it is collaborating closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to work with our engineers to access the vandalism site to enable them to effect necessary repairs. This is vital to ensure the safety of lives during the repairs.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to overcoming these challenges because we understand the place of electricity in the socio- economic lives of the people and the extreme inconveniences this situation is causing the government and all electricity customers in all the affected areas.

“We pledge not to relent in doing everything possible to rectify the problems and restore power supply to the affected areas,” the transmission company added.