The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that its engineering team is preparing to commence work on the second 330kV transmission line to restore electricity fully in the Northern region of the country.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports TCN made this known in a statement issued by Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’S General Manager Public Affairs, in Abuja on Thursday while confirming that bulk power supply has been restored to parts of Northern Nigeria after weeks of blackout.
The company confirmed it successfully restored bulk power supply through its 330 Kilo Volt (kV) Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line I as at 4:56 pm on Wednesday.
The company said that power supply was restored to Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe following the completion of repairs on the vandalised section of the Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line.
Mbah said that with the restoration of the line, the Apir-Lafia 330kV transmission line 2 was now operational and also bulk power transmission had been restored to the states.
”As restoration efforts continue, with the TCN engineering team preparing to commence work on the second 330kV transmission line. All necessary materials for the repairs are on hand.
”Work will begin as soon as the site is secured for the safety of TCN’s personnel to the affected sections of the vandalised 330kV transmission line II.
”In the meantime, teams of linesmen will re-patrol the 330kV line II to ensure that no other sections are impacted as the repair works progress,”she said.
TCN said it appreciates the patience and understanding from those affected as its engineers work diligently to restore the 330kV transmission line II.
TCN also recognises the importance of electricity in Nigerians daily lives and is committed to ensuring that this line is repaired swiftly, thereby increasing the bulk power to the affected areas by the incident.
Kano residents jubilate restoration of electricity
Meanwhile, there was a wild jubilation as electricity was restored to the ancient Kano city and its environs, North’s commercial hub, after days of blackout due to a grid collapse.
Nigeria had obnoxiously witnessed many national grid collapses in 2024. They included those in February. 4, March 28, April 15 and July 6 and most recently in October 14 also in October 15, just some hours after service was restored, there was another grid collapse.
Many of the residents who spoke on the restoration of the power supply expressed appreciation for what they described as a big relief in view of the hot weather and the collapse of many businesses that largely depend on electricity.
Ali Musa, a resident of Nasarawa, said that the restoration of electricity was a big relief considering the heat in the day time.
“This is a big relief to us as we battle with the high cost of petrol to power our homes and businesses,” he explained.
Amina Shehu, a resident of Tarauni, said that she had been buying sachet water ice blocks for N300 per one and hoped the price would now go down drastically with the restoration of electricity.
“I spend N1,000 daily to buy an ice block to cool my drinks and another N2,000 to fuel my generator at home. Thank God the power has been restored,” she said.
Simon Isaac, a resident of Kumbotso, who operates a barbing saloon, said they were happy to resume full business as using a generator was not cost-effective.
Isaac urged the federal government to decentralise the national grid so as to reduce the pressure on the main grid
Another resident of the farm centre, Dayyabu Sani, who expressed his happiness, said he hoped that the government would find a lasting solution to the recurring problem. He urged the government to invest in renewable energy and also provide mini grids.