President Tinubu has ordered quick electricity restoration to northern states affected by the recent blackout. Discover more about the emergency directive.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and all pertinent agencies to accelerate the process of restoring electricity in the impacted northern states.
The President issued the order after an emergency meeting with Adelabu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the extended power outage that has disrupted daily life and economic activities in the North.
In a statement made yesterday in Abuja, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, reported that President Tinubu voiced his concern regarding the situation.
According to reports, 17 out of the 19 northern states have been dealing with a two-week-long blackout due to vandalism of the Shiroro-Kaduna lines.
President Tinubu conveyed concern about the extensive effects of power outages on communities and businesses in the northern regions.
Following his meeting with Adelabu regarding the repair status of the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, the President stressed the importance of finding a sustainable, long-term solution.
He encouraged engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to expedite repairs on the damaged facilities and provide relief to the affected communities.
President Tinubu also directed Ribadu to work with the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in ensuring security for TCN personnel and contractors repairing the damaged lines. This includes offering aerial protection to prevent further disruptions.
He called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and influential figures in the North to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard public assets and infrastructure from further sabotage.
President Tinubu cautioned that his administration would no longer accept any acts of sabotage targeting the nation’s power infrastructure.
Additionally, the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) convened yesterday in Kaduna with traditional rulers to discuss and address the challenges facing the region.
According to them, the North has been most affected by the current economic hardship in the country.
The meeting was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who briefed the forum on security challenges in the region.
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Chairman of NSGF and Governor of Gombe State, encouraged his fellow governors to implement strategies aimed at reducing the hardships faced by people. He suggested focusing on targeted social welfare programs, providing support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and developing policies that attract investment to their region.
“Security continues to be a major focus for the region, and we must recognize the recent successes in combating crime, particularly with the neutralization of bandits and terror leaders. Nevertheless, complacency is not an option. We need to maintain these achievements to secure enduring peace and stability,” he stated.
Additionally, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu stated that the Federal Government is tackling the power supply issues in the North through both short-term and long-term strategies.
The minister gave a speech following a meeting with President Tinubu yesterday in Abuja.
He mentioned that they had discussed the underlying issue, which primarily stemmed from damage to the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line caused by vandalism. This line is crucial as it supplies electricity to the North and is managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Efforts are already underway to repair this line.
“They requested the security cover of the National Security Advisor (NSA) through the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Air Staff to help restore the damaged land, which has now been provided. We are hopeful that it will be fully restored soon.”
Additionally, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency regarding the ongoing power outage in the North.
The spokesperson for the region cautioned that the ongoing blackout jeopardized both its security and economic stability.
In a statement from National Publicity Secretary Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum voiced deep concern about the power crisis affecting the region.
It stated: “For over a week now and continuing, the northern states of Nigeria have been struggling with persistent power outages. This has resulted in almost complete paralysis of economic and social activities, not to mention increasing widespread frustration among the population.”
The situation seems increasingly dire and alarming, as statements from officials responsible for power supply at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) indicate that technical and security challenges could cause these problems to continue indefinitely.
Peoplesmind
