TCN discusses attempts to bring power back to northern Nigeria, saying that “insecurity delayed repair

Despite ongoing security issues, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) claims it is making every effort to promptly restore bulk power supplies in the country’s northern region.

The 330 kV Ugwaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 failed at 4:53 am on October 22 “due to a fault,” causing a power outage across the northeast, northwest, and portions of north central, according to TCN.

The transmission firm reported two days later that its linesmen had located the cause of the power loss.

TCN’s general manager of public relations, Ndidi Mbah, responded to the reports in a statement on Sunday, stating that the company is collaborating with security authorities to fix the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna line, which caused the bulk energy supply in Kaduna, Kano, to be cut off.

“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,” Mbah said, refuting media reports that suggested an indefinite power outage in parts of Northern Nigeria, which were mistakenly attributed to the Executive Director (Independent System Operator), Engr. (Mrs.) Nafisatu Ali.

In her remarks at the hearing, Engr. (Mrs.) Nafisatu Ali stated that TCN has teamed up with the office of the National Security Adviser to secure the area so that her engineers can safely work on the restoration after insurgents damaged the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which provides electricity to Northern Nigeria.

Given the threats in the area, Engr. Ali underlined that it is not practical to send engineers without security backup.

Therefore, she refuted any notion that the restoration would last forever, emphasizing that security measures were in place and that TCN’s focus is still on guaranteeing a steady supply of electricity across the country.

Vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, a vital piece of infrastructure that provides energy to the area, is the cause of the current outage that has been plaguing Northern states for a number of days.

“The immediate repair required to restore supply has been delayed due to the area’s prevalent insecurity.”