North East Power Restoration: Why We Fail To Keep Promised Timeline – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has expressed regrets over its failure earlier set for restoring full power supply to the North East, attributing it to subsequent vandalisation of transmission lines and towers.

The TCN had on two consecutive times earlier assured the North East Governors of restoring full power supply to the zone on 27 May, 2024, following power supply disruption due to vandalisation of four transmission towers along the Jos – Gombe 330kV transmission line.

The areas serviced by the line were thrown into black out. The towers vandalised with its valuable parts carted away by terrorists since April 22, 2024 include towers 288, 289 , 290, and 291.

But on Monday 27 May, 2024 when power supply ought to have been restored, TCN explained that tower number T290, one of the four new towers erected by TCN contractors along the Jos – Gombe 330kV transmission line collapsed during the cable stringing process.

According to the TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah in a statement, “The incident occurred at about 7am, this morning, 27th May, 2024, while the contractor was stringing the cable on the last tower, which was supposed to enable the final jointing of the power cable in time for energizing of the line today.

“Despite of the security challenges in the area, TCN contractors and some of our engineering staff worked tirelessly to fast-track the project, doing all that was humanly possible to meet the time-line. Daily, the contractor, TCN engineers accompanied by security operatives consistently left the site by 10pm in the night and resumed work at 6am every day.

“Constructing towers and stringing power cables at such heights is highly technical, although TCN contractors and staff have successfully completed similar projects in other parts of the country. The collapse of the fourth tower is a significant setback, given the extensive efforts to ensure that today’s power restoration timeline was met.

“Our contractor is currently dismantling the collapsed tower members, to enable its reconstruction and final restringing of the cable.

“It is unfortunate to note that while TCN is working on reconstructing and restringing the four vandalised towers, three (3) towers along the Biu – Danbua, 132kV transmission line were also vandalized with 16 spans of conductors stolen. The towers, which have all collapsed include towers T1690, T1691 and T1692. TCN has mobilized a contractor to commence their reconstruction. This discovery was made by TCN patrol team, last Friday.

“Additionally, this morning, the TCN lines patrol team discovered that tower T540 along the Makurdi – Jos 330kV double circuit transmission line has been vandalised. Sections of the tower have been removed, although the tower remains standing. TCN has contracted emergency repairs, to prevent its collapse.

“We reiterate our commitment to restoring normal bulk power supply through the distribution companies serving the North East and other areas affected by vandalism. There is however an urgent need for everyone to join hand with TCN in protecting our collective assets by being vigilant and reporting any suspected acts of tower and line vandalism promptly.”