How Electricity Supply Was Restored In Maiduguri Despite Insecurity, TCN

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has explained that bulk power supply in Maiduguri is presently being transmitted through a diversion using 33 kilovolts high tension poles as a by-pass transmission line.

It said the diversion was constructed by TCN engineers to enable electricity supply to Maiduguri, while effort is ongoing to reconstruct three vandalised transmission towers along 330kV Damaturu – Maiduguri line.

The explanation became expedient as TCN restored power supply to Maiduguri, Borno State and its environs, on Wednesday 24th March 2021 around 3:51pm.

Recall that on 26th of January, 2021, three (3No) towers in Jakana area of Maiduguri were vandalized which caused power outage in Maiduguri and environs for almost two months.

TCN further noted that due to the enormity of the damage, and time it would take to reconstruct the damaged towers, TCN Management tasked its engineers to urgently construct a temporary by-pass to facilitate power restoration to the affected areas in the shortest possible time.

Speaking on the execution of the 330kV Damaturu-Maiduguri diversion (by- pass), the Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz noted that while work was ongoing on the temporary transmission line in the month of February, 2021, five out of the TCN engineers working on the line were rushed to the hospital following injuries sustained as one of their vehicles drove on an explosive device buried underground by insurgents.

Engr. Abdulaziz said the incident notwithstanding, TCN engineers re-mobilized to site and completed the temporary transmission line while presently, work is still ongoing on the damaged towers.

Engr. Abdulaziz expressed his profound gratitude to the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, for his invaluable assistance so far, according to a statement by the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah.

The TCN Managing Director, further commended the team of TCN engineers who consistently put their lives on the line to ensure that the 330kV Damaturu – Maiduguri by-pass is completed, even as they continue to work on the three transmission towers that were vandalized.