From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Boko Haram, yesterday, destroyed two transmission towers along the Gombe – Damaturu 330kV transmission line belonging to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
This has thrown the people in that axis and Damaturu town into total darkness.
In a statement, the General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah said that the act, perpetrated by insurgents, resulted in a load loss of approximately 5MW.
“At approximately 9:35 pm yesterday, the Gombe – Damaturu 330kV transmission line experienced a trip. Following initial checks, TCN engineers from the Bauchi regional office attempted the restoration of the line but it tripped again, prompting the dispatch of TCN’s linesmen and security operatives to trace the fault. The team, then discovered the two collapsed towers, T377 and T378.
According to Mbah, TCN has arranged to temporarily supply electricity to Damaturu from the Potiskum Transmission Substation. Meanwhile, arrangements, she said, are under way to mobilise contractors that will re-erect the vandalised transmission towers and restring the 330kV line affected by the incident.
“TCN condemns this act of sabotage and is again calling on relevant authorities to intensify efforts in the protection of power infrastructure.
“We are committed to working diligently to expedite the restoration process and minimise the impact of this unfortunate incident on power supply to the affected areas.
Recall that in December, last year, Boko Haram bombed the same Damaturu tower, killing one officer of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and throwing the whole environment into darkness.