TCN addresses northern Nigeria power outage, pledges swift restoration amid security challenges

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has clarified recent media reports alleging an indefinite power outage in parts of Northern Nigeria. Contrary to claims erroneously attributed to Engr. (Mrs) Nafisatu Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator, TCN assures the public that it is actively working to restore bulk power supply to the affected areas as swiftly as possible despite challenging security conditions.

At a recent public hearing conducted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Ali provided a comprehensive update on the situation. She disclosed that the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, a crucial power source for Northern Nigeria, was vandalized by insurgents, disrupting the electricity supply. In response, TCN has partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to secure the affected area, allowing engineers to proceed with repairs safely.

“Deploying engineers without adequate security support is not feasible, given the risks in the region,” Engr. Ali emphasised, dispelling any claims that power restoration would be indefinitely delayed. She affirmed that TCN’s top priority is ensuring a consistent and equitable supply of electricity across the country, with efforts underway to address the outage.

The current blackout, which has left Northern states without electricity for several days, results from the recent damage to the Shiroro-Mando transmission line. Security challenges have delayed the immediate repair of this vital infrastructure. To mitigate the impact, TCN had temporarily rerouted power through the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line, which subsequently snapped, further complicating the situation.

In collaboration with the NSA, TCN is working to ensure safe access to the vandalism site for engineers, prioritising safety during repairs. The agency reaffirms its commitment to restoring power and minimising disruption to the affected areas, fully aware of the significant inconveniences for residents and businesses.

“We remain steadfast in overcoming these challenges,” stated Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs. “Electricity is crucial to the socio-economic well-being of the people, and we are committed to rectifying these issues promptly.”

TCN urges patience from the public as it navigates the complexities of securing and repairing essential infrastructure, with the assurance that every effort is being made to restore power to Northern Nigeria as soon as possible.