The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday said that two of its transmission towers, T377 and T378, along the Gombe–Damaturu 330kV transmission line were vandalised.
A statement by the TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, noted that the act, perpetrated by insurgents, resulted in a load loss of approximately 5MW.
She said the vandalisation of the line occurred on 23 February.
“At approximately 9:35 p.m. yesterday, the Gombe – Damaturu 330kV transmission line experienced a trip. Following initial checks, TCN engineers from the Bauchi regional office attempted the restoration of the line but it tripped again, prompting the dispatch of TCN’s linesmen and security operatives to trace the fault. The team then discovered the two collapsed towers, T377 and T378,” Ms Mbah said.
In the interim, she said TCN has arranged to temporarily supply electricity to Damaturu from the Potiskum Transmission Substation.
Meanwhile, she added that arrangements are underway to mobilize contractors that will re-erect the vandalized transmission towers and restring the 330kV line affected by the incident.
“TCN condemns this act of sabotage and is again calling on relevant authorities to intensify efforts in the protection of power infrastructures.
“We are committed to working diligently to expedite the restoration process and minimize the impact of this unfortunate incident on the power supply to the affected areas,” she said.
In recent times, vandalism of the transmission infrastructures and distribution equipment has been a common occurrence.
Credit: premiumtimesng.com
