In this report, TOPE SUNDAY writes on the sustained attacks on power infrastructure amid the quest to improve power supply in the country.
Between December 30, 2023, and March 11, 2024, a total of six attacks were carried out on the nation’s power infrastructure, and despite this, power was still being supplied almost immediately when the incident occurred. While this could be seen as a temporary setback, stakeholders still see it as a call on the federal government to involve communities in the installation of electricity-critical facilities.
Also, in recent years, attacks on critical infrastructure have posed a significant threat to the power supply. Despite these challenges, determined efforts are being made to combat these attacks and ensure a sustainable and reliable power supply for the country, and the Transmission of Nigeria (TCN), Blueprint Weekend can report, has been very responsive to restoring power when the facilities are vandalised.
6 TCN’s facilities vandalised in 4 months
From December 28, 2023, to March 11 this year, this medium can report that a total of six facilities of TCN have been vandalised from the up North down to the South.
A breakdown of the attacks reveals that on
December 28, 2023, the outlawed Boko Haram terrorists bombed three transmission towers along Maiduguri-Damaturu transmission lines, setting the environs in a blackout.
Also, in March, the TCN cried out that one of its critical infrastructures, the Shiroro-Katampe 330kV transmission line, had been vandalised, making the fifth such incident within February and March of this year.
This incident added to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February 2024, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line on February 26, 2024. Other incidents include the vandalism of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on February 23, 2024, and the attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on February 15, 2024.
Additionally, on February 1, 2024, Tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line collapsed due to vandalism.
FG’s quest to improve power sector
Despite the sustained attacks on the power critical infrastructure, the federal government is committed to improving the sector. According to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the president has set aside N340 billion for power infrastructure upgrades across the country.
Gbajabiamila, who spoke during the commissioning of the 220 MVA substation at Randle Avenue in Surulere, Lagos state at the weekend, said the fund was earmarked in the 2024 budget, and assured Nigerians of Tinubu’s commitment to a reliable power supply in the country.
He said, “Citizens must protect power infrastructures as we address cases of estimated billing and poor meter distribution. Access to reliable electricity is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right that drives productivity, fosters innovation, and improves the quality of life of all citizens.”
Gbajabiamila said Tinubu was working hard to ease the hardship being experienced by the citizens.
“The president is committed to rolling out wage awards for workers, financial support for SMEs, and loans for students, unemployment benefits, and many other social security programmes and improving the living conditions for all Nigerians.”
Similarly, in a bid to improve the sector,
the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, threatened to sanction non-performing power distribution companies (DisCos) despite the huge investments by the government.
According to him, one of the sanctions for willful non-performance could be a revocation of licence.
In a tweet after meeting with the Chief Executives of some DisCos and the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, he said, “As the Minister of Power, I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating electricity supply across the country. In response to this pressing issue, I have summoned the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), as well as the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to a crucial meeting.”
Speaking further, he said, “The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the worsening power supply in their respective regions and to collectively find lasting solutions. It is disheartening to witness the decline in power supply despite the concerted efforts to improve the situation. The Ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW.
“Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
“Moving forward, I am committed to holding all distribution companies accountable for their performance. Willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed. Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritise repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions.
“During recent supervisory visits to power generating plants, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector. Plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. I urge electricity consumers to remain patient as we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians.”
Reactions
Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, the convener and executive director, PowerUp Nigeria, Mr. Adetayo Adegbemle, condemned the sustained attacks on the electricity critical infrastructure and called on the management of TCN to engage the communities and security agents to monitor the facilities/ installations.
“On the issue of incessant attacks on the power lines and power facilities, I have consistently advocated for the management of TCN, especially, to engage Communities and the security apparatus in monitoring these Installations,” he said.
A legal practitioner, and power sector policy analyst, Bode Fadipe, said massive investment in the power sector “is the way to go.”
He said, “Massive investment in the sector remains a panacea. If we have half the number of banks as power stations in this country, that will be a great boost. The number of power stations and the alternative sources are not only insufficient, but what we have currently is expensive making it difficult to have the saturation effect we desire.
“The liberalisation of the sector with the enactment of the new Electricity Act is the right step that has the potential to catalyze a more vibrant power sector. But laws are not an end on their own. They are only a means to an end. One point that investors have continually talked about is the issue of tariffs in the sector. No investor will put his money in a business where he does not have the chance to recover his investment and make a profit. Geometric Power will be a good test case in this regard.
“We also need to look closely at the policy environment and how it enhances the sector. There are so many discordant tunes in this regard. Today we hear the minister saying the government will invest in the DisCos and by tomorrow, it is that the government cannot subsidise the sector. These are conflicting policy positions.
“On the protection of power infrastructure, this is one area where the government and the people have to make up their minds whether they want to have a functional power sector or not. I cannot understand why some people will constantly vandalise critical assets like that of the power sector. What is to be done? Let there be a change of mind and let the law take its course fully for anyone caught in the act of vandalism.”
