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… Says company working with ONSA on full restoration
By Agatha Chitumu, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engineer Sule Abdulaziz, on Tuesday, admitted the faulty section in the northern states could not be rectified, saying that the areas are both unreachable and security risk.
Recall that that two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines one and two were vandalised penultimate week, which damaged parts of both transmission lines, which majorly supplied power to the northern part of the country.
Abdulaziz, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja, added that efforts were made by using local vigilantes to restore power in affected areas but to no avail.
The TCN MD, however, disclosed that his company was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to restore power to the north, adding that the ongoing restoration efforts would wheel 400MW to the north.
Abdulaziz confirmed further that there was a snap conductor on the tower but the tower number could not be identified.
According to Abdulaziz, arrangements were also made to use the local group to escort engineers in the night to effect repairs to evade the bandits in the location.
"Unfortunately, we did not succeed because the bandits got wind of our intentions and laid siege to the area. Minimum supply was maintained to the North-West corridor through the second circuit until 13th October, 2024 when the second line tripped and failed to stay on trial reclosure.
"Local vigilantes were again engaged to comb the area but could only access part of the safe area. Hence, TCN solicited the support of the Nigeria Air Force, Kaduna for unmanned aerial surveillance on 17th October 2024, and the impacted towers were identified.
"They were four (4) in number with 3 collapsed and 1 number twisted. In another related development, vandalism of Ugwuaji - Apir 330kV lines was reported on 21st October 2024, causing tripping of the lines.
“Trial reclosure failed and patrol revealed damaged conductors due to vandalism. This compounded the transmission of bulk power to the Northern corridor as these lines serve as the link between Northern and Southern areas. This outage severely affected the wheeling capacity of TCN.
"The area affected has been secured with the help of Nigerian Army and a concerted effort is ongoing on one of the lines for restoration. Restoration of one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400MW of power in that corridor.
" Also, TCN is intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji – April on or by Sunday 3rd November, 2024. This will allow TCN to wheel a substantial quantum of power through Apir to Jos to Kaduna to Kano.
"Conclusively, TCN is working with ONSA for the security of personnel and site on Shiroro - Mando 330kV SC lines for commencement of rehabilitation of impacted towers in this axis’’.
