President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, and all relevant agencies to expedite the restoration of electricity to affected states in the North.
His order followed an emergency meeting he held with Adelabu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the prolonged blackout that has disrupted daily life and economic activities in the North.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu expressed concern over the situation.
Reports have said 17 of the 19 states in the North have been grappling with a blackout that has lasted two weeks, following the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna lines.
President Tinubu expressed dismay over the widespread impact of the power disruptions on northern communities and bussinesses.
After his meeting with Adelabu on the status of repairs to the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, the President emphasised the need for a sustainable, long-term solution.
He urged engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to intensify work on the damaged facilities and bring cuccour to the affected communities.
President Tinubu also instructed Ribadu to collaborate with the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to provide security for TCN personnel and contractors working on the damaged lines, including providing aerial cover, to prevent any additional disruptions.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and influential figures in the North to support security agencies in protecting public assets and infrastructure from further sabotage.
President Tinubu warned that his administration would no longer tolerate acts of sabotage against the nation’s power infrastructure.
Also, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has said the Federal Government is addressing the power supply challenge in the North with short-term and long-term solutions.
He said: “We discussed the root cause of this, which was basically due to vandalisation of the transmission lines of Shiroro-Kaduna line, which is the major line that supplies electricity to the North, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). They already set out to fix this line.
“What they have asked for, which has been provided to them now, is the security cover of the National Security Advisor (NSA) through the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Air Staff to enable them restore the damaged land. We are optimistic that very soon this will be fully restored.”
