President Bola Tinubu has taken urgent measures to address the widespread blackout affecting northern Nigeria by ordering the deployment of the Nigerian Army and Air Force. The armed forces are to provide security for engineers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), who are repairing damaged transmission lines crucial to restoring power in the affected regions.
According to a State House statement issued on Monday, October 28, 2024, the power outages have impacted states across the North-West, North-East, and parts of North-Central Nigeria. The issue stems from disruptions to two 330kV Ugwaji-Apir Double Circuit transmission lines, which have left millions without electricity, hampering economic activities across the region.
Speedy Recovery Plans in Motion
In the statement, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the blackout, which has paralyzed social and economic activities in the northern region over the past week. To expedite power restoration, the President Tinubu summoned the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, directing them to prioritize efforts to bring relief to the affected states as swiftly as possible.
“President Bola Tinubu is saddened by the reports of vandalism and willful destruction of power infrastructure and other public assets,” the statement reads. During a meeting with Adelabu, who briefed President Tinubu on the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s repair efforts, the president called for the development of a long-term solution to prevent future disruptions. President Tinubu also urged TCN engineers to accelerate their work to restore electricity to residents who rely on it for their daily activities and businesses.
President Tinubu Seek For Security Reinforcements for Transmission Lines
In addition to urging swift repairs, President Tinubu instructed the National Security Adviser to coordinate with the Army and Air Force to ensure robust security for the engineers. This directive includes deploying security personnel, supported by aerial surveillance, to safeguard TCN staff as they work on the vulnerable transmission lines. This security measure aims to prevent further vandalism, which has previously disrupted transmission infrastructure and hindered power supply.
Furthermore, President Tinubu called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to work closely with security agencies in protecting critical infrastructure. He emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate deliberate acts of sabotage against public utilities, warning that those responsible for such acts would face serious consequences.
Technical Faults and Power Restoration Challenges
The TCN had previously disclosed that its 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir Double Circuit transmission lines encountered a technical fault, which took both lines offline. This caused a power deficit affecting the North-East, North-West, and parts of the North-Central regions. TCN reported that on the day of the incident, power supply on the Ugwuaji-Makurdi 330kV Line 2 failed around 4:53 a.m., shifting a load of 243 MW to Line 1. However, Line 1 also tripped five minutes later, resulting in a total power loss of 468 MW.
Subsequent attempts to restart the lines at 5:15 a.m. and 5:17 a.m. were unsuccessful, as both lines tripped immediately upon activation. TCN assured the public that efforts are underway to locate and repair the fault to enable full restoration of bulk power to the affected areas. Engineers are reportedly working around the clock to identify the root cause of the problem and reinstate normal operations.
Public Urged to Support Power Infrastructure Security
With heightened concerns about security, President Tinubu appealed to citizens, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, to actively support the government’s efforts to protect public infrastructure. By fostering collaboration between local communities and security agencies, the government aims to deter future acts of vandalism that threaten public welfare.
Highlighting the critical importance of securing power infrastructure, Tinubu reiterated the administration’s commitment to safeguarding public utilities from sabotage. The president Tinubu actions reflect a zero-tolerance policy towards any attempts to hinder Nigeria’s electricity supply, vowing that those responsible will face strict penalties. As TCN continues its restoration efforts, Nigerians await the full resumption of power, hopeful that the government’s intervention will prevent future disruptions.
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