Epileptic power persists in North as TCN battles towers’ repairs

The Federal Government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria, seem to have faltered in its promise to fully restore power supply to the 17 Northern states affected by the recent blackout in the region.

Findings by The PUNCH on Thursday revealed that the TCN is still battling to restore power supply to the majority of the affected states in the region, 72 hours after the November 12 deadline promise given by the government to restore electricity to the entire North.

This was as residents in the affected areas called on the government to hasten the repair process to improve economic activity in the area.

Responding, the TCN noted that it has increased bulk power supply to four electricity distribution companies for onward circulation to their franchise areas.

Penultimate week, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, while responding to questions from senators at the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 30, promised Nigerians that the ongoing repairs would be completed in 14 days.

“I assure you that within the next 14 days, the repairs will be completed, and power will be fully restored to the North,” he assured lawmakers.

But checks by one of our correspondents on Thursday showed that most states, including Jos, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina, are to enjoy stable power supply due to load shedding by their franchise stations.

While Nasarawa, Maiduguri, Bauchi, Yola, Kogi, and Benue states enjoy relative power supply.

A month ago, vandals fatally destroyed two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2 and the Ugwaji-Apir line.

This incident caused a major blackout in 17 states, with Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, and Katsina as the worst affected states.

But the TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, at a briefing last week, promised to restore partial supply to some areas before completing repairs of the major lines.

Giving an update, a TCN source who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Thursday, confirmed that the repairs are still ongoing, as its engineers, in collaboration with security agencies, continue their work at the vandalised site to restore it to its original condition.

The source, however, declined to give further details due to security implications.

“The details are sketchy but work is going on to fully repair the damaged towers. Our engineers are facing challenges in the area but we are just focused on completing the repairs,” the source said.

Recall the TCN MD had explained that a siege laid by bandits significantly hindered initial attempts to repair the vandalised 330kV Shiroro-Mando Line 1, and this disruption ultimately led to the collapse of several other towers along the line.

He said this challenge slowed down repair efforts while engineers working on the line repair work were under the surveillance of security personnel and left the site by 6 pm.

“As I am talking to you now, our engineers have been working to make sure that they restore that line. But even in that area, we have to get a military escort before our people can work. Anytime it is getting to 6 pm, they have to leave the place and go back to a safe place, sleep there and come back in the morning. So it has slowed down our efforts,” he stated.

Meanwhile, residents in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, disclosed that they were yet to start getting adequate power supply, citing ongoing disruptions and delays in the restoration process.

According to them, the area is still experiencing inconsistent power supply despite the restoration of electricity after repairs on the collapsed national grid.

Findings by one of our correspondents showed that the development has left residents frustrated and concerned about the reliability of the power infrastructure.

“The recent repairs were meant to address the issue of power outages, but it seems that the problem persists. This is not the first time Jos has faced power supply challenges. The city has a history of struggling with electricity supply, which has hindered economic growth and development,” lamented Joshua Madaki, a resident of the Tudun Wada community.

Another resident, Bulus John, who also lamented the situation, called for a permanent solution to the power supply issue, citing concerns about the impact on businesses, healthcare, and education.

“The inconsistent power supply has resulted in financial losses for businesses, disrupted healthcare services, and hindered academic activities.

“Authorities must prioritize addressing the root causes of the power supply challenges in Jos. This includes investing in infrastructure upgrades, maintaining existing facilities, and ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to meet the city’s growing demands.”

“As Jos continues to navigate the challenges of inconsistent power supply, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to find a lasting solution. The city’s economic growth and development depend on a reliable and efficient power infrastructure”, another resident, Mathew Alao added.

Also, residents in Kano, Kebbi, and Sokoto have lamented the effect of the blackout on their businesses and other economic activities.

Kano residents affirmed that the power supply has been restored, but they highlighted that it has been epileptic since it was reconnected last week. Although the restoration brought some relief, many residents expressed frustration as frequent power cuts continued to disrupt daily activities, affecting both households and businesses.

Sokoto residents speak

Following the recent national grid collapse as well as the restoration, residents of Sokoto and Kebbi states expressed mixed feelings over the latest development.

A resident of Sokoto State, Abubakar Sanyinna, said following the restoration of power, many places within the Sokoto metropolis only enjoy less than two hours of light per day.

“Since the restoration of power in the state, we have not been enjoying the supply, unlike before the light had an issue.

“Normally, during this period of harmattan, we used to enjoy up to 18 hours per day but the reverse is the case this year.”

Also, our correspondent learnt from Kebbi State that the issue of electricity supply is still an issue.

Kebbi is one of the states with a regular supply of electricity in the Northwest, with more residents now resorting to solar lights.

In Gombe State, residents are venting their anger over what they described as an “epileptic supply” following the restoration of electricity. Since power was restored, many have experienced frequent and irregular outages, which they attribute to ongoing load shedding by its franchise station.

A resident of Bagadaza, Hajara Bala, said, “We don’t see the light until after two days. I think it’s because of load shedding. Only light doesn’t pass three to four hours when it finally comes.”

Also speaking, Haruna Daniel added “Light in Liji is worst; we now use the generator to work here in Liji because they are load shedding it. A lot of things we don’t know are different between grid collapse and transmission lines.”

On the contrary, residents of Bauchi State have lamented that the high voltage of electricity supplied by its franchise station has damaged electrical appliances in their homes.

A tailor at Wunti market in the Bauchi metropolis, Taruku Mukkaddas, who confirmed the restoration of the power to another correspondent, stated, “The power voltage was high at the return of the electricity. I have had my designing machine blown by the high voltage of power.

“I am not alone. Some others even have their electric gadgets burned.”

Another respondent who resides in Dass local government of Bauchi state, Abdulrahman Sani, noted that “his phone charger and all the light bulbs in my neighbourhood have blown. Electric irons have also burned.

Speaking about the stability of the light after the blackout, Sani stated “As I speak with you, there is light in my house. Ever since the light returned, we have been enjoying it.”

Also, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has restored power to towns and communities across the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, after the recent collapse of the national grid.

Findings by one of our correspondents indicated that residents of Awe, Kokona, Lafia, Karu, Keffi, Akwanga, and Wamba, among other LGAs in the state, are currently enjoying constant electricity supply.

A resident of Lafia LGA, Naomi Jonah, while expressing her displeasure on the continuous collapse of the national grid which has been causing power outages in the state, commended the authorities in the electricity sector for immediately springing into action to address the issue.

Jonah, who is a hairdresser by profession, said she had lost the patronage of some of her customers due to the electricity outage in the state.

She, therefore, urged the AEDC and other government-recognised electricity organisations to work together to address the challenges affecting electricity supply in the country.

“We all know that petrol is now very expensive, and not everyone can afford it. Most of the residents doing businesses depend solely on electricity supply, so I want to urge the government to take steps to avert any further collapse of the national grid,” she added.

Meanwhile, residents in Borno state have confirmed the improvement of electricity in the state after TCN confirmed the restoration of the collapsed grid.

In an interview with The PUNCH, the residents said there were improvements compared to when the state relied on gas power plants when the grid collapsed.

“We have better light now; previously, the rationing system with the gas power plant was not good, but at least, for now, we can say they are trying”, Micheal Johnson, a resident of Maiduguri, confirmed.

Another resident in Damboa Road, Abubakar Salisu, however, said power has not been as stable as expected, but it is better than before.

“The situation, if compared to before, is better. But you know, there was never 24-hour light, but I can say it is better now because, for the past three days, we have been sleeping with light,” he noted.

YEDC restores power

The Yola Electricity Distribution Company says electricity has been restored in its franchise areas of Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Taraba states.

The Communication officer of the company Mrs Blessing Tunoh, confirmed this to our correspondent during an interview in Yola.

She said that the electricity supply is improving in areas where there are no cases of vandalism.

Tunoh assured that YEDC is committed to giving their customers the best, appealing that they should try to pay their bills as at when due.

A senior lecturer with Modibbo Adama University, Dr Iyorwuese Anum a resident of Federal Housing Yola, said that electricity had been restored but that the supply is not steady.

“They will bring the light one or two hours and take it, but it is better than total darkness,” he said.

A staff of Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Mr Mker Ansho, a resident of a notorious quarter called Sabon Geri opposite the university’s main gate, disclosed that he got electricity for four to five hours daily.

A hairstyle dressing salon owner, Mr Sunny Ermo, said that he has a steady electricity supply in his shop located opposite the Federal Road Safety Commission in Girie local government.

Unlike other states, residents in Katsina acknowledged that they have been enjoying one to five hours in 24 hours of power supply.

The PUNCH learned that in some parts, such as Kofar Kaura and Kofar Tsauri, residents since the last collapse, from 3rd to 11 November 2024, mostly at night and in day intervals, are said to have their rotational power supply.

Meanwhile, residents of Liyafa Palace and Brihim estate areas are said to have been enjoying a five-hour power supply.

There is relatively stable power supply from Jos Electricity Distribution Company to Benue State.

Aside from the temporary power outage occasioned by the collapse of the national grid, Benue State and environs have been enjoying power supply.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria says it has increased bulk power supply to more states in the northern region of the country.

The improvement followed the successful energization of the Ugwuaji-Makurdi-Jos 330kV Transmission Line 2.

The TCN disclosed the new update in a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Thursday in Abuja

As a result, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola Distribution Companies can now pick more loads for onward distribution to customers.

Recall that the 330kV Ugwuaji – Apir transmission lines had been out of service since October 21st, 2024, due to the vandalism of the 330kV double circuit transmission line 1&2 on the same line route. Line 1 was repaired and restored earlier on October 30, 2024.

But giving an update, the general manager said its engineers completed the repairs and stringing of damaged portions of the transmission line earlier today, allowing for onward distribution.

The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has successfully energized the   Ugwuaji – Makurdi – Jos 330kV transmission Line 2 today, 14th of November, 2024, at approximately 11.50 am.

“TCN completed the repairs and stringing of damaged portions of the transmission line earlier today, enabling our engineers to energize the line. Presently, Apir and Jos Transmission  Substations have picked loads.

“Expectedly, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola Distribution Companies can now pick more loads for onward distribution to customers within their franchise areas.

“The restoration of bulk power through line 2 means that both lines are now in the circuit. Therefore, there will be substantial improvement of power supply to the North East and North West.”

The company also appreciated, “the patience and understanding of electricity customers in the Northern axis, who were affected by the incident.”