Power Grid Under Siege: Minister appeals for community protection as vandalism disrupts transmission

October 29, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of vandalism on Nigeria’s power transmission infrastructure, particularly in the North.

The latest incident, which occurred on September 9, 2024, has left thousands without electricity and highlighted the urgent need for community involvement in protecting critical infrastructure.

According to Adelabu, the Shiroro-Mando 330kV line 1 tripped due to vandalism, and subsequent repairs have been hindered by security threats. Despite efforts to use local vigilantes to escort engineers, the bandits have continued to disrupt repair work.

Adelabu said, “This is not the first time we’ve experienced vandalism in this line, but this incident is more severe.

“We’re appealing to our brothers to help us protect these equipment because the resources that could have been used for other projects are being channeled into repairing the vandalized infrastructure.”

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a surge in vandalism incidents, with 109 transmission towers destroyed across the country in just nine months.

The affected regions include Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Benin.

TCN has successfully restored power to Northeast Nigeria after completing repairs on vandalized transmission towers along the Jos-Gombe 330kV transmission line. Alternative solutions are being explored to expedite the restoration of power.

Adelabu emphasized that vandalism not only disrupts power supply but also diverts resources from other essential projects.

He called on communities to take ownership of protecting critical infrastructure, stressing that the resources used for repairs could be better utilized for other projects.

As Nigeria struggles to address its power challenges, the Minister’s appeal highlights the need for collective action to safeguard the country’s infrastructure and ensure a reliable power supply.

The Federal Government has pledged to work with stakeholders to strengthen security measures and prevent future incidents.