The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expediting efforts to restore power in the 17 northern states currently experiencing blackout.
During a National Assembly briefing on Tuesday, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu announced that electricity would be fully restored within the next 14 days, with partial restoration expected within three days.
“We are working with security agencies to access the grid areas occupied by vandals,” said Adelabu. “I assure you that within the next 14 days, the repairs will be completed, and power will be fully restored to the North.”
However, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) provided a slightly different timeline earlier, stating that ongoing repairs on the damaged Shiroro-Mando transmission line, the primary power supply route to the northern region, would conclude by November 3.
TCN’s Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, indicated that 400 megawatts would be supplied to certain areas within 24 hours. He explained that “the line destruction and a subsequent bandit siege have hindered initial repair attempts.”
Abdulaziz further noted that TCN is enhancing security for its engineers, who must leave the site each evening due to safety concerns, to complete the repairs as quickly as possible. In the interim, governors from 19 northern states are calling for energy diversification to mitigate future disruptions.
To prevent future vandalism, Minister Adelabu called for a nationwide ban on metal scrap sales, noting that this market fuels infrastructure damage. He also urged the National Assembly to pass legislation imposing severe penalties for vandalism, including capital punishment. “These petty fines are insufficient,” he argued, adding, “A capital punishment for such offenses would deter further vandalism.”
