THE federal government is seeking quicker passage of a bill that proposes stiffer punishment for electricity asset vandals in the country from the National Assembly.
The government has also set November 3 target for power restoration in the Northern part of the country.
This is coming on the heels of growing concerns about recurrent incidences of vandalism witnessed in power assets across the country.
Just last week, virtually all the Nigerian northern states were thrown into overwhelming darkness raising concerns over its impact on economic activities within the region.
The ICIR reports that the disruption was due to the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, the major line that supplies electricity to the north.
The transmission line is a critical infrastructure that supplies power to the region.
Speaking on the government’s efforts to halt the activities of the vandals, the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu on Tuesday, October 29, confirmed that the federal government is seeking the quick passage of its proposed bill for stiffer penalties currently at the National Assembly.
“We have already sent a bill to ensure stiffer penalties for vandals at the National Assembly and we’re looking for its quicker passage and eventual onward transmission to Mr. President for assent. We cannot be at the mercy of the vandals who keep destroying public infrastructure.
“We beckoned on all Nigerians to see power assets as their facility and protect it. Apart from going back and forth to fix it costs lots of resources that could have been used to build new substations,” he added.
In the same vein, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has set a November 3 target for power restoration in the Northern part of the country.
The managing director of the TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulziz gave this information on Tuesday during a press conference held in Abuja.
He recalled, how the activities of vandals kept frustrating power supply in several northern states despite the expansion of 330kv line across the respective states.
“Shiroro-Mando 330kv line 2 tripped on 9th September 2024, a patrol of safe areas was done, but a faulty section could not be reached due to insecurity. Efforts were made by using local vigilantes who confirmed snap conductors on a tower but they could not identify the tower number,” he said.
He disclosed further that minimum supply was maintained to the North-West corridor through the second circuit until 13th October 2024 when the second line tripped and failed to stay on trial reclosure.
He also informed that the services of the local vigilantes were again sought after to comb the areas but could only access part of the safe area, adding that,” TCN solicited the support of the Nigeria Airforce, Kaduna for unmanned aerial surveillance on 17th October 2024, and the impacted towers were identified.”
“There were four in number with 3 collapsed and 1 twisted,” he added.
He noted that the areas affected have been secured with the help of the Nigerian Army and a concerted effort is ongoing on one of the lines for restoration.
“Restoration of one of these lines will allow TCN to wheel about 400 megawatts of power on that corridor. Also, TCN is intensifying efforts to repair and restore the second line on Ugwuaji-Apir by Sunday 3rd November 2024. This will allow TCN to wheel a substantial quantum of power through Apir to Jos to Kaduna to Kano.”
He added that the TCN is working with the office of the National Security Adviser for the security of personnel and site on the Shiroro-Mando 330kV transmission lines for the commencement of rehabilitation of impacted towers in this axis.
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.