**Foundation and Tower Materials Ready
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) with the support of the Borno State Government have mobilised resources to ensure quick restoration of electricity supply to Maiduguri, the state capital and environs.
Electricity supply was interrupted following the damage of its high tension towers T159, T160 and T161 of 330kV Damaturu-Maiduguri Transmission Line in the North East. TCN has completed new foundation of Tower T159 and have equally procured all the necessary tower members and materials for the replacement of the other two damaged towers which are presently on ground at TCN’s Baga Road Substation in Maiduguri. Work is ongoing to make them ready for installation.
On Saturday, the Management team of TCN led by the Acting Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz; the Borno State officials led by the State Commissioner for Housing and Energy, Engr. Yuguda Sadeh Vungas and the Managing Director of Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Engr. Engr. Baba Umara Mustapha were at the TCN Maiduguri Work Centre for an on-the-spot inspection of the equipment/materials and ongoing fabrication work of the tower parts for the replacement of the damaged towers.
While fielding questions from journalists, TCN Managing Director/CEO, assured that since all the necessary equipment, materials and workforce are on ground and fabrication work is ongoing, the reconstruction work proper would soon commence in earnest at the sites, as tower foundation has been completed. This means that electricity supply would be restored as quickly as possible on completion of the tower erection work.
Engr. Abdulaziz further explained that while the damaged towers reconstruction is on-going, TCN is also temporarily, constructing a by-pass line for temporary diversion of the line which would more readily ensure supply to the affected areas before the main tower structures are completed.
According to Engr. Abdulaziz, “First of all, I want to apologise on behalf TCN over what happened in Maiduguri and the North East as a whole, we understand the urgent need for power supply especially in this axis at this time, I want to assure you that the TCN is committed to doing all that is possible to make sure that the power supply is restored as quickly as possible.
“All the materials you see here will be installed very quickly, you can see all the materials, the conductors, composite insulators, channel irons and you can see our workforce at work already, fabricating the parts. Everybody is working, and they have been working everyday, Saturday and Sunday inclusive. This is because we are bent on ensuring that light is restored as soon as possible in Maiduguri and environs.
Speaking on the transmission line in Damboa axis, Engr. Abdulaziz said that the reconductoring of the Damboa – Maidugiri transmission line has been procured and work would soon start on the project. When completed, the line will serve as a second source of power supply to Maiduguri and environs”
Earlier, the TCN Managing Director, while addressing its engineering staff working on the project, assured them of maximum support in every way to facilitate the speedy execution of the project and commended them for their commitment.
On his part, the Borno State Commissioner for Housing and Energy, Engr. Yuguda Sadeh Vungas, speaking on behalf of the Borno State Governor, assured that the government would provide the necessary support and security for the work to be accomplished very quickly.
He emphasized Prof Babagana Zulum, the Borno state Governor’s commitment to ensuring that light is restored in Maiduguri and environs and that he would do all it takes to lend the necessary assistance to TCN to facilitate the project.
He said: “The efforts of the state government is to provide the necessary support and equipment for the Transmission Company of Nigeria to reconnect the state to the national grid for his citizen to have regular supply of electricity.
“Our own part is to ensure that security is provided for human safety and the movement of materials.
According to him, “We are very happy to find ourselves here today with the Managing Director TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz and Managing Director of Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Engr. Baba Umara Mustapha. It is a sign of good relationship between the state government, TCN and Yola Disco. Together we will work to restore supply to our people.
Ndidi Mbah
GM Public Affairs
