Kano and Kaduna state residents have been thrown into darkness following vandals’ destruction of two towers belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The spokesperson for TCN, Ndidi Mbah, revealed this development in a statement released on Friday.
She indicated that the affected structures, identified as T133 and T136, are situated along the 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2.
Mbah further stated that TCN is preparing to deploy a newly acquired emergency restoration system to the site while plans for the reconstruction of the damaged towers are underway.
She also mentioned that temporary measures have been implemented to restore bulk power supply to the affected region.
The statement highlighted that, according to reports from TCN’s Shiroro Regional office, the first 330kV transmission line experienced a trip, followed closely by the second line.
Efforts to reclose the first line were ongoing, necessitating local vigilantes’ immediate mobilisation to monitor the lines.
This vigilance resulted in the identification of the two damaged towers, T133 and T136, with significant cable damage observed at multiple locations.
“Arrangements are in top gear to deploy the newly procured ’emergency restoration system’ to the site, pending the reconstruction of the damaged towers.
“TCN has also conducted an aerial survey in collaboration with security operatives, given the area’s vulnerability to banditry, which poses a significant threat to both TCN installations and personnel.
“In the interim, our engineers have implemented a temporary measure to supply bulk power to the Kaduna and Kano regions via the 330kV Kaduna – Jos transmission line.
“The vandalized Shiroro – Kaduna 330kV lines 1&2 are vital lines through which bulk power is transmitted to parts of the North West region, with each line capable of carrying 600MW. The vandalism of the towers and transmission lines presents a significant challenge to bulk power transmission in that axis.
“We are, however, committed to re-erecting the towers and restringing the transmission lines to restore bulk power transmission through both 330kV power transmission lines,” the statement noted.