…Laments Persistent Gas Constraints, Vandalism
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has hinted at plans to attack its facilities in Zuba, Niger State, therefore, called for heightened vigilance in the area.
TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah gave the hint in a statement on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
She implored residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around power facilities in the area to safeguard the integrity of the infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power supply to all.
Mrs. Mbah also urged everyone, especially those living close to TCN towers nationwide, to join hands with the company in safeguarding power transmission towers and cables.
She pointed at persistent low gas supply and vandalisation of power infrastructure as prominent among the challenges currently bedeviling the power sector, noting that the company remains committed to managing the grid and ensuring grid stability amidst the challenges.
The GM disclosed that the TCN’s diligent grid controllers work tirelessly day and night to balance the grid and prevent any kind of disturbance amidst challenges, adding that the recent grid disturbance on March 28, 2024, was promptly managed by the company’s skilled operators, with power restoration achieved in some areas within 21 minutes of the disturbance.
She acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government, particularly the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who has been working hard to address the root causes of low gas supply, especially with the meetings held with Generating Companies (GenCos) and Gas Companies (GasCos) to secure a higher volume of gas supply and consistency for enhanced power generation.
Noting that “as efforts to stabilize gas supply progress, TCN emphasizes the importance of consistent gas availability to sustain optimal power generation and facilitate easier grid management, reducing system disturbances. It is a fact that low power generation substantially increases grid fragility.
“In addition to gas supply challenges, TCN faces various sector-specific hurdles, some impact other players in the value chain, but invariably affect grid stability.
“Vandalism is a persistent challenge, as clearly seen in the first quarter of 2024 alone, in which five significant vandalism incidents disrupted transmission operations, necessitating emergency repairs and, in some cases, complete tower reconstruction and/or transmission line replacement due to acts of vandalism.
“These highlight the critical need for increased community support and vigilance in protecting transmission infrastructure”, she said.
