Power supply restored to seven northern states, says TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says power supply has been successfully restored to seven northern states through its 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line one.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s general manager of public affairs, confirmed that power was restored at 4:56 pm after repairs on the vandalised section of the line were completed.

She said with the restoration, the Apir-Lafia 330kV transmission line 2 is now also operational, enabling bulk power transmission to Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, and 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,” Mbah said.

“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.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as our engineers work diligently to restore the 330kV transmission line 2.”

Mbah said the company recognises the importance of electricity in the daily lives of Nigerians, assuring that the line will be repaired swiftly, thereby increasing the bulk power to areas affected by the incident.

On October 22, the TCN reported a power outage in the north-east, north-west and parts of north-central after 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines one and two tripped.

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

Two days later, Mbah said the faulty area, which measures one span, was identified as a snapped 330kv transmission line in the swampy forest of Igumale, Benue state.

On October 28, the commission said insecurity delayed repairs, but it is working tirelessly to restore power supply.

Speaking at a press briefing the following day, Sule Abdulaziz, the managing director (MD) of TCN, said alternative measures had been implemented to transmit 400 megawatts to certain areas within 24 hours.

He, however, said substantial power would be restored after repairs were completed on the Ugwuaji-Apir transmission lines on November 3.

The MD assured that efforts to restore electricity to the northern region were ongoing, adding that President Bola Tinubu had also directed the TCN to expedite repairs and mandated Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, to provide security support.