TCN Restores Power Supply On Kontagora-Yauri 132kV Line Weeks After Sabotage

TCN Restores Power Supply On Kontagora-Yauri 132kV Line Weeks After Sabotage

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully reinstated electricity supply on the Kontagora-Yauri 132 kilovolt Single Circuit line in Niger State after weeks of disruption caused by vandalism……READ ALSO Urgent: TCN Substation Engulfed In Flames In Kano

The vandalism, which occurred on April 5, 2024, led to the collapse of towers T38, T39, and T40, resulting in blackouts in parts of Niger State and Kebbi State. However, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, announced in an official statement on Thursday, April 18, that power had been restored to the affected powerline following reconstruction and rehabilitation work.

Mbah stated that the line was energized at 1:11 p.m. after completing rehabilitation and reconstruction work, including conductor stringing. Consequently, the Yauri 132/33kV substation is now on entire supply from the national grid.

The statement highlighted the events leading to the disruption, noting that the line tripped on earth fault relay indication on April 5, 2024. Upon patrolling the line the following day, TCN engineers discovered that towers T38, T39, and T40 had collapsed due to vandalism.

Meanwhile, during a stakeholders meeting convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Power, the Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sanusi Garba, warned against reversing recent electricity tariff hikes. Garba emphasized that doing so could force the Federal government to shoulder a massive ₦3.2 trillion subsidy in 2024. He highlighted the severe financial strains plaguing the sector, including issues with foreign exchange fluctuations and non-payment for gas, which are crucial for maintaining a steady power supply.

The NERC Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, supported the recent tariff increase, arguing it is necessary to prevent a total shutdown of the sector. He noted the funding shortfall in subsidies, with only N185 billion of the allocated N645 billion funded in 2023.

In response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Victor Nwokolo, acknowledged the complexities of the situation and emphasized the committee’s efforts to gather input from relevant stakeholders, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria and Generation Companies.

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