Blackout: We are Doing Everything Possible to Restore Power in the North- TCN
TCN’s Efforts to Restore Power Supply in Northern Nigeria Amid Security Challenges
Blackout: We are doing everything possible to restore power in the North- TCN; Several days ago, there was a total blackout in northern Nigeria. It has been over 8 days since the incident and the blackout remains.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) issued a statement on 27 October 2024 regarding recent reports of a prolonged power outage in parts of northern Nigeria.
The reports, which suggested an indefinite loss of power supply, were attributed to Engr. (Mrs.) Nafisatu Ali, Executive Director (Independent System Operator). In a public hearing organized by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Ali clarified the situation and outlined TCN’s ongoing efforts to resolve the issue.
Engr. Ali emphasized that TCN is working diligently to restore power supply as quickly as possible despite significant security challenges. She provided details on the circumstances leading to the outage, particularly focusing on the vandalism of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line. This line plays a critical role in supplying electricity to Northern Nigeria. According to Engr. Ali, insurgent activities have damaged this essential infrastructure, making immediate repairs challenging.
In response to this damage, TCN has collaborated with the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) office to secure the affected area, thereby ensuring that engineers can work safely to restore the power lines. Engr. Ali stressed that deploying technical teams without proper security measures is not feasible due to the risks in the region. She assured the public that TCN’s goal is to maintain a stable and consistent power supply across the country, and that security measures are being put in place to facilitate the restoration work.
To mitigate the impact of the outage, TCN has implemented temporary measures, including rerouting bulk power through the Ugwaji-Apir 330kV line. This action is intended to provide some level of power supply while full repairs on the vandalized line are underway. However, the rerouted supply is not sufficient to fully restore power to all the affected areas, repairing the primary transmission line a priority.
The statement underscores TCN’s commitment to resolving the power outage as swiftly as possible. Engr. Ali expressed an understanding of the significant disruptions the situation has caused to the socio-economic life of the people in Northern Nigeria. She acknowledged that the extended lack of electricity has affected businesses, healthcare services, and general daily life, placing a burden on residents and creating operational challenges for the government.
Conclusion
In concluding her address, Engr. Ali reassured the public that TCN is fully dedicated to overcoming the challenges posed by the security situation. The company has pledged to continue working closely with security agencies to restore power supply to the affected regions. She emphasized that TCN will not relent in its efforts to repair the damaged infrastructure and ensure that power is restored in a reliable and sustainable manner.
The statement was signed by Ndid Mbah, General Manager (Public Affairs) of TCN on behalf of the Company. It serves as a formal communication to the public, providing transparency on the efforts being made to restore electricity and clarifying the factors contributing to the delay.
For more details of ‘Blackout: We are doing everything possible to restore power in the North- TCN; ‘ Visit Transmission Company of Nigeria.
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