The hope of achieving a stable power supply in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has once again been dashed as vandals reportedly destroyed the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line.
Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager, Public Affairs of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) who announced the development in a statement on Sunday, March 10, 2024, said, the incident was the fifth recorded between February and March this year.
She narrated that “at approximately 9am this morning (today), the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a trip. Following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful.
“Subsequently, efforts were made to identify the fault location. Hence, linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area.
“During the fault tracing process, vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line.
“TCN personnel confirmed the vandalisation of the 330kV Shiroro-Katampe transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors are stolen”, Mrs. Mbah said.
She disclosed that the TCN was currently mobilizing for conductor replacement, pending the completion of security operations at the site.
Nevertheless, she noted that the second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.
She assured that the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line, assuring that TCN was working hard to minimise the adverse effect of these acts of sabotage on bulk power supply to Abuja and its environs.
The GM said, the incident has added to the series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024.
Other incidents, according to her, include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.
She added that on February 1, 2024, Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.
While noting that the acts of sabotage were unacceptable, she urged relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators, adding that the Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure was paramount, and collective efforts are required to curb the incidents.
“TCN calls upon all Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility”, she added.
