The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that electricity will be restored to Northern Nigeria within the next three days.
Adelabu disclosed this on Tuesday while responding to questions from senators regarding the power outage affecting the region and the recurring grid collapses across the country.
On October 22, the Transmission Company of Nigeria reported an outage in the North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central Nigeria after the 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji-Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped.
According to the Executive Director of the Independent System Operator, Nafisatu Ali, the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line supplying power to the North was vandalized by insurgents.
In response, President Bola Tinubu directed the military to provide security for workers repairing the power lines.
As a temporary measure, Adelabu stated that power would be supplied through the Ugwuaji-Makurdi transmission line, which could cover approximately 80% of affected states.
“Power will be restored to the North in two to three days. We will use the Ugwuaji-Makurdi transmission line for temporary purpose,” Adelabu said.
He further noted that efforts are underway to access the damaged grid with the assistance of security agencies.
Once fully accessible, the damaged lines will be repaired, allowing for a complete restoration of power to the affected areas.
Adelabu added, “We are working with security agencies to access the grid currently occupied by vandals.
“I assure you that within the next 14 days, the repairs will be completed, and power will be fully restored to the North.”