Mr. Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director of the Transmission Firm of Nigeria (TCN) said that the Federal Authorities has invested roughly N8.8 billion in repairing vandalised transmission towers throughout the nation.
This was disclosed by Mr. Sule Abdulaziz, represented by Mr. Olugbenga Ajiboye, Govt Director of Transmission Service Supplier (TSO), in the course of the Quarterly Energy Sector Working Group assembly held on Tuesday in Abuja
He famous {that a} whole of 128 transmission towers had been destroyed by vandals and bandits since January 13, 2024. He lamented the recurrent destruction of important infrastructure and the ineffectiveness of authorized motion towards apprehended culprits.
“As I discuss to you right this moment, 128 of our towers have been destroyed by both vandals or bandits so far, now we have spent about N8.8 billion, by our estimation, to place them again to full and practical use
“It’s so unhappy that every time the vandals had been caught and brought to police for prosecution, police would cost them for theft, as a substitute of vandalism, and they are going to be bailed.
”If they’re charged for vandalism, they can’t be bailed, however that is the place we’re. So, a lot of them have been arrested, however every time they are going to be bailed as a result of police typically cost their circumstances as that of theft,” he said
Safety challenges
Abdulaziz detailed the difficulties confronted by TCN in the course of the restoration of key transmission strains, such because the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna towers. He defined that the corporate needed to safe army escorts for contractors because of safety dangers.
“In some situations, they might even inform us that it was not protected to maneuver there. How will we get out of this? How can we ship electrical energy to Nigerians underneath these horrible circumstances? These are a part of the challenges we face within the energy sector,” he said.
Partnership to increase electrical energy
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, represented by his Chief Technical Adviser, Mr. Adedayo Olowoniyi, Adelabu introduced a partnership with the World Bank and the African Growth Bank (AfDB) to offer electrical energy to 50 million Nigerians by 2030 aimed toward extending electrical energy entry to 300 million Africans.
“The mission is being pushed by the World Bank and the African Growth Bank, and it’s a undertaking that can present electrical energy to 300 million Africans, with Nigeria benefiting 50 million of that quantity,” Adelabu defined.
- The Minister disclosed {that a} compact doc for this undertaking could be signed by President Bola Tinubu in Tanzania by January 2025.
- He additionally famous that the initiative would contain personal and public sector participation, using photo voltaic house techniques, mini-grids, and grid extensions to achieve underserved areas.
- Adelabu acknowledged the restrictions of extending the grid to all Nigerians, citing funding constraints and business viability.
- Nevertheless, he emphasised the federal government’s dedication to making sure electrical energy entry as a part of the dividends of democracy.
“However that doesn’t imply that we will not ship electrical energy to them. It’s their proper and a part of the dividends of democracy,” he added.
What you must know
- The Transmission Firm of Nigeria (TCN) has confronted a number of circumstances of vandalism and structural collapses, disrupting energy infrastructure nationwide.
- The Transmission Firm of Nigeria (TCN) reported vandalism on the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line on November 19, with towers 29 to 31 affected. Vandals stole one-third of the conductor, disrupting ongoing repairs that had been 85% full.
- TCN reported vandalism on the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line on November 19, with towers 29 to 31 affected. Vandals stole one-third of the conductor, disrupting ongoing repairs that had been 85% full
- In November, 31 towers alongside the Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho strains had been vandalized, requiring emergency repairs. Moreover, within the North-East, tower T290 on the Jos-Gombe line collapsed throughout restoration efforts, whereas tower T540 on the Makurdi-Jos line was partially vandalized however stays standing.
- On November 9, three towers on the Lokoja-Gwagwalada line had been destroyed, with two spans of aluminium conductors stolen, additional hindering energy transmission.
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