By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), says it is intensifying efforts at restoring power to the northern parts of the country.

Mr Sule Abdulaziz, the Managing Director, TCN said in Abuja on Tuesday at a media briefing that the ongoing repairs of the damaged transmission line that led to the blackout in northern region would be completed by Nov 3.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Oct. 22, TCN reported a power outage in the north-east, north-west, and parts of north-central after the 330-kilovolt Ugwuaji?Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped.-off

The company also reported that the Shiroro-Kaduna line was vandalised, resulting to reduced bulk electricity supply to Kaduna, Kano, and other major cities in the north.

Abdulaziz said that the area affected by the trip- off had been secured with help of Nigerian Army and concerted effort was on-going in one of the lines for restoration.

?Restoration of one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400 Megawatts (MW) of power in that corridor.

?Also, TCN is intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji ? Apir on or by Nov. 3.

?This will avail TCN to wheel substantial quantum of power through Apir to Jos to Kaduna to Kano,? he said.

According to him, TCN is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for security of personnel on site of Shiroro ? Mando 330 Kilo volt SC lines for commencement of rehabilitation of impacted towers in the axis.

Abulaziz attributed the blackout in the northern region to vandalism of Ugwuaji ? Apir 330kV lines, which was reported on Oct. 21, causing tripping of the lines.

He said 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 link between northern and southern area. This outage severely affected the wheeling capacity of TCN,? he said.

Abdulaziz also said that the Shiroro ? Mando 330kv line 1 tripped off on Sept. 9, patrol of safe area was done, but faulty section could not be reached due to insecurity.

He said that efforts were made by using local vigilante who confirmed snap conductor on a tower but they could not identify the tower number.

?Arrangements were made to use the local group to escort TCN?s engineers in the night to effect repairs in order to evade the bandits in the location.

?Unfortunately, we did not succeed because the bandits got wind of our Intentions and laid siege in the area.

?Minimum supply was maintained to the North-West corridor through the second circuit until Oct. 13, when the second line tripped-off and failed to stay on trial reclosure,? he said.

He said local vigilantes were again engaged to comb the area but could only access part of the safe area.

He said that due to TCN inability to access the area, it solicited the support of the Nigeria Air Force for unmanned aerial surveillance on Oct. 17 and the impacted towers were identified.

Mr Abdullahi Yakasai, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement in the North-West, said that the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that power was restored to the region.

Yakasai appealed to Nigerians to be patient with TCN, adding that the blackout in the northern region was not a deliberate effort aimed at hurting the people.

?President Bola Tinubu is so concerned about the blackout and he is been on top of the situation with the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and the managing director of TCN

?We believe in the next five days, power will be restored across the northern states,? he said. (NAN)

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