Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of a combination of the Nigerian Army and Air Force to protect engineers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), who are currently fixing damaged transmission lines.
The directive comes as states in the North-West, North-East, and parts of North-Central Nigeria have experienced power outages following the disruption of two 330kV Ugwaji-Apir Double Circuit transmission lines, impacting the affected areas.
In the statement, President Bola Tinubu expressed concern over the blackout in northern Nigeria over the past week, which has paralyzed social and economic activities in the region.
According to the Presidency, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, were summoned last night and directed to expedite efforts to restore electricity to all affected states in the North.
“President Bola Tinubu is saddened by the reports of vandalism and willful destruction of power infrastructure and other public assets that have caused the unfortunate blackout.
“In a meeting with the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, who briefed the President on efforts made by TCN to repair the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, the President directed the development of a long-term solution to the problem,” the statement partly reads.
President Bola Tinubu urged TCN engineers not to relent in bringing immediate relief to the people who need electricity to carry out their social and economic activities.
“To ensure that restoration work continues unhindered, President Bola Tinubu also directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to work with the Army and Air Force to deploy adequate security personnel, including aerial cover, to protect the engineers who are fixing the damaged transmission lines,” Tinubu ordered.
President Bola Tinubu urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and other leaders to assist security agencies in protecting public assets and infrastructure, stating that the government will no longer condone deliberate sabotage and destruction of public utilities.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com