…Abuja Thrown Into Darkness
CHIDI UGWU, ABUJA
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja has been thrown into darkness following the vandalization of Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalade -Katampe Transmission line on Wednesday.
As at late night Wednesday many parts of the capital city were still groping in darkness as
trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, according to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager, Public Affairs.
Mbah in a statement, said the sad incident occurred on the 26th of February, 2024, at about 11.32 pm.
The statement reads in parts: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) hereby states that Tower 70 along its 330kV Gwagwalade -Katampe Transmission line has been vandalised with the tower standing precariously on the ground.
“The 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, necesitating a physical patrol of the line.
“The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four (4) 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.
“Meanwhile, TCN 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”.
