…Repairs gulp N9bn, says Power Minister, Adelabu

Electricity supply across the country, which has suffered severe hiccups in the past few weeks, is further being threatened following fresh attacks on transmission lines by vandals.

Thirty-one transmission towers have been destroyed in the latest attack carried out by the unknown vandals in Okada and Ofosu communities along the 330kV Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho transmission lines.

The incessant grid collapse in the country is partly caused by attacks on electricity facilities

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed yesterday that the vandalised towers, which suffered significant damage with critical components removed earlier in November, were discovered by TCN linesmen during a routine patrol.

Spokesperson for the company, Ndidi Mbah, said engineers from the Benin Sub-Region “have initiated repairs to prevent the collapse of the affected towers and to avoid disruption of bulk power supply.”

Also attacked afresh by vandals, according to him, was the TCN Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line.

The hoodlums stole approximately one-third of the conductor, affecting towers 29 to 31.

That particular line had been under repair following an attack in August, which the TCN said would spark a prolonged power outage in Bayelsa State.

Towards the end of last month, the company said it had achieved 65 per cent in the repairs of the damaged transmission towers with 17 transmission towers successfully erected only for the latest vandalism to occur.

Mbah said: “A team of TCN engineers, led by Mr. Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, has conducted an inspection of the site.”

Following the recent spate of national grid collapse, the TCN had targeted a minimum of three weeks to solve the problem and stabilise electricity supply.

It identified three hubs said to be the main sources of the grid collapse: Shiroro, Jebba and Gomo.

They were said to have been recording negative activities including high frequency.

Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, said last week that repairs of the electricity installations and equipment recently vandalised in parts of the north by unknown men have so far gulped N9 billion of public funds.

The amount is besides the billions of naira worth of goods, services and man hours wasted by the blackout resulting from the vandalism.

The minister had earlier received the report on the national grid from a six-man committee in Abuja.

He said owing to the financial implications of the recommendations he would request funding through a supplementary budget or in the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

“There will be an amended report after this meeting, which will help me to submit to Mr. President,” Adelabu said.

“Because all these have financial implications, it must be so recognised for inclusion in the 2025 budget.

“We will not wait until then for it to start implementation.

Whatever we can actually cover within our 2025 budget now, and even if it is possible, a supplementary budget. Because it is a national issue, and must be so addressed.”