TCN reassures electricity consumers of bulk power restoration, supply to Northern Nigeria

*Transmission Company of Nigeria restates its commitment to restoration of bulk power supply in Northern part of the country by doing everything as quickly as possible despite the prevailing security challenges in the region

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the recent blackouts in the part of the country due to frequent collapses of the national grid, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Sunday, October 27, 2024, said the company was doing everything possible to restore power in Northern Nigeria.

Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs and Spokesperson at TCN, who noted this in a statement, said the company was committed to working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to repair the vandalised Shiroro-Kaduna line that led to reduction of bulk electricity to Kaduna, Kano and other major cities in the north.

Mbah noted the TCN is confident that bulk power supply would be restored as quickly as possible despite prevailing security challenges.

She noted: “TCN would like to state categorically that it is working diligently to restore bulk power supply as quickly as possible despite prevailing security challenges,” the statement read.

“The Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which supplies power to Northern Nigeria, was vandalised 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.”

The statement also Engr. (Mrs.) Nafisatu Ali, Executive Director (Independent System Operator) of TCN, explained that deploying engineers without security support is not feasible, given the risks in the region.

Engr. Ali as well 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.

TCN further stated: “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 power company added: “TCN has been 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.”