The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has experienced a prolonged power outage due to vandalism, News About Nigeria reports.
The spokeswoman of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, stating that Tower 70 along its 330 kV Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission line has been vandalised with the tower standing precariously on the ground.
This is coming barely a few days after two power transmission towers were destroyed in the north-east, bringing the supply of electricity to the nation’s capital, to just about two hours a day.
TCN noted that the attack on the tower, which happened on February 26th, reduced the power supply to Abuja by 250 megawatts.
“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, necessitating a physical patrol of the line.
“The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four 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 250 MW,” Mbah stated.
He further noted that the company has mobilised workers 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 the nearest TCN offices nationwide,” he added.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has, however, in the past two weeks implemented a rigid power supply rationing system that has left swathes of districts without public power supply.
