By Emmanuel Awari,Jalingo
The Taraba State Commissioner of Energy and Economic Development, Engr. Naomi Tanko Agbu, has disclosed that criminal activities continued to increase as a result of persistent blackout in the state.
Naomi who stated this while briefing journalists in Jalingo, expressed concern over the impact of the sabotage on the state’s development agenda, emphasising the need for urgent resolution.
“In 2023, His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas the Governor of Taraba state presented to the public his five (5) finger agenda that revolves on education; health; women and youth empowerment; security, peace, and unity; economic development and job creation.
“The Governor has done great strides in less than one (1) year in office in ensuring that he rewrites the history of the state, he delivers in terms of economic progress for the state, while also laying fundamental foundations to the institutions in Taraba state. His dreams for a better Taraba cannot be allowed to be cut short due to economic sabotage to the electricity supply to the state, as energy is a key driver toother sectors and economic prosperity.
“I am deeply saddened by the recent disruption in electricity supply caused by the vandalization of four (4) transmission line towers along Jos-Gombe 330kV line on 22 April 2024. These senseless acts of sabotage have not only jeopardized the reliability of electrical infrastructure in the North-East region but have also resulted in widespread inconvenience and hardship for our community, plunging millions into blackout.
“Recent reports received has shown spikes crimes and insecurity issues for a region like the North-East that is already endangered. The cascading effects to our regional economy especially in terms of food production cannot be overexaggerated.
“This economic vandalism of transmission line towers represents a blatant disregard for the well-being and prosperity of our region. These critical components of our electrical grid serve as lifelines, delivering power to homes, businesses, hospitals, and essential services.
“The deliberate destruction of these towers undermines the stability of our electrical system, putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
“This issue is a federal matter and I want to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously and we have been working tirelessly with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) to address the situation.
“We have also contacted the Minister of Power, and we are yet to get positive feedback for the weeks of blackout to a state capital such as Jalingo in Nigeria. The lengthy time to respond to this matter is concerning as it shows complete neglect by the FGN to Taraba state and the region. If there is one thing, we have all learnt in the past few days from the response time to faults and the priority of the heads in the sector, is that the network to the North-East region is vulnerable.
“The outcry for a robust plan such as the North – East ring circuit as contained in the proposal of TCN expansion plan to connect the North – East to the South of Nigeria should be implemented by the FGN immediately.
“As some of you may know by now that other states have gotten partial reconnection to electricity supply due to the back feeding of the old TCN 132kV line stretching from Jos via Bauchi, Gombe, Savanah to Yola and Jalingo.
“The unfortunate reality is that this 132kV line that is to back feed Jalingo was reported to be old with peculiarity of been lengthy and lightly loaded as at today, and hence poses in effect high voltage due to farranti effect at the farthest end of the line in which Taraba state is one of such points.
“Furthermore, the line is pegged at around 40MW – 48MW which is far below its installed capacity and YEDC is getting around 19MW for Adamawa, Yobe, Borno and Taraba.
“Due to technical constraints in the 132kV network and equipment limitation from the TCN end, if power is to be supplied to Jalingo as it is right now, the probability of damages to infrastructure and accidents is too high.
“The risk of supplying electricity to Jalingo at this point far outweighs the benefit to our people. As you know, the role of the government is the protection of lives and properties of its people. Our priority is the restoration of electricity supply to affected areas quickly and in a safe manner.
“The TCN contractor has already been mobilised to site and has commenced reconnection works with his teams.
“In addition to our immediate efforts of monitoring the restoration of electricity supply, YEDC has informed us on the measures that they are implementing to enhance the security and resilience of electrical infrastructure.
“This includes increasing surveillance and patrols of transmission line corridors, implementing stricter access controls to critical infrastructure sites, and enhancing community engagement to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these electrical assets.
“As a Ministry of Energy and Economic Development to Taraba state residents, I urge all of you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or individuals observed near transmission line towers or electrical facilities attempting to vandalise any infrastructure.
“YEDC has made available phone numbers and contact information that whistleblowers can use in contacting them. The Ministry can also be reached with information on vandalism and unsanctioned activities of sabotage to the network. I believe that together, we can help prevent further acts of vandalism and safeguard the integrity of our electrical grid.
“To our sister states in the North-East region, we have felt and observed keenly the increase in the insecurity that has plagued us all especially during these days of total blackout for some and partial electricity supply restored for some. I implore all of you to be vigilant and also take decisive actions by engaging the host communities of electrical infrastructure such as the TCN transmission lines and towers and ensure that security is provided.
“These infrastructures are the lifeline of this region, and an attack on one is an attack on all. I also call on all our federal representatives in the region to be proactive in probing the lengthy disregard for power restoration to the North-East region of Nigeria – she said.
“I understand the frustration and inconvenience that this disruption has caused to all our dear residents. We as a Ministry waited in addressing the public until significant progress has commenced by the FGN, of which we have been informed that TCN has handed over the site to the contractor and restoration works has commenced.
“We do not have a definitive date for when power will be supplied, because it is the job of the FGN to restore transmission line services. However, we commit to providing update of the progress of restoring electricity supply.
“I want to assure you that we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that normalcy of electrical supply is restored and that good measures are put in place to prevent future incidents of vandalism. Your patience, cooperation, and support during this challenging time are greatly appreciated – she added.