SEVERAL parts of Abuja are experiencing a blackout as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday, February 28, confirmed the vandalisation of its transmission towers by vandals.
The transmission company said Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission line was seriously vandalised.
The incident, the company said, occurred on the 26th of February, at about 11.32 pm.
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The TCN’s general manager, public affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement.
“At the said time, the Gwagwalada – Katampe Transmission line tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, necessitating a physical patrol of the line. The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four tower footings of Tower 70 were vandalised, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.”
The incident has reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW(megawatts)
Meanwhile, TCN said it had mobilised its officials to the site of the incident and the workers had commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.
“We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. We must report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or the nearest TCN offices nationwide.
In a related development, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has also attributed the power outage being experienced in some parts of Abuja to a fault affecting the 33kV Nigerian National Integrated Power Project-NIPP feeder and repairs on the transmission station at AT4.
The management of AEDC made this known in a statement posted via its official X handle on Tuesday night.
“The Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc. (AEDC) wishes to notify its esteemed customers in (Abuja) that the power outage being experienced is due to a fault affecting the 33kV NIPP feeder and repairs on the transmission station at AT4 are ongoing,” the company said.
The AEDC said the locations affected are Dantata Estate, FO1, Chikakore, Byazhin, Byazhin Across, Gbazango, Guida community, the Military Pension Board area, and its environs.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.