Victoria Mgbanwa
Due to the power outage for the past two weeks, The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has revealed that it was due to the vandalization of Transmission lines so it has implemented a rigid power supply rationing system that had left swathes of districts without public power supply.
This was revealed in a statement on Wednesday by The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, that Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalada -Katampe Transmission line had been vandalised, with the tower standing precariously on the ground.
The statement reads, “sad incident occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm. At the said time, the Gwagwalada – Katampe Transmission line tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, nessectating a physical patrol of the line.
“The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four tower footings of Tower 70 were vandalized, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.
“The incident has reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW”.
TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah also said that the company has “mobilized to the site of the incident and has commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.
“We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or to the nearest TCN offices nationwide”.
