President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and all relevant agencies to expedite the restoration of electricity to affected states in the North.
The President’s order followed an emergency meeting he held with Adelabu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the prolonged blackout that has disrupted daily life and economic activities in the North.
A statement on Monday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu expressed concern over the situation.
Reports have said 17 of the 19 states in the North have been grappling with a blackout that has lasted two weeks, following the vandalisation of the Shiroro-Kaduna lines.
President Tinubu expressed dismay over the widespread impact of the power disruptions on northern communities and businesses..
After his meeting with Adelabu on the status of repairs to the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, the President emphasised the need for a sustainable, long-term solution.
He urged engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to intensify work on the damaged facilities and bring cuccour to the affected communities.
President Tinubu also instructed Ribadu to collaborate with the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to provide security for TCN personnel and contractors working on the damaged lines, including providing aerial cover, to prevent any additional disruptions.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and influential figures in the North to support security agencies in protecting public assets and infrastructure from further sabotage.
President Tinubu warned that his administration would no longer tolerate acts of sabotage against the nation’s power infrastructure.
Also, The Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) Monday met in Kaduna with the traditional rulers to address the challenges facing the region.
They said the North was worst hit by the current economic hardship in the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who briefed the forum on security challenges in the region, among others attended the meeting.
NSGF Chairman and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya urged fellow governors to adopt measures to alleviate the suffering of the masses through targeted social welfare programmes, support for small and medium enterprises, and policies that attract investment to the region.
“While security remains a top priority for the region, we must acknowledge the recent gains made against criminals, especially the elimination of bandits and terror leaders. However, we cannot afford complacency. We must sustain these gains in order to ensure lasting peace and stability,” he said.
Also, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has said the Federal Government is addressing the power supply challenge in the North with short-term and long-term solutions.
The minister spoke after a meeting with President Tinubu Monday in Abuja.
He said: “We discussed the root cause of this, which was basically due to vandalisation of the transmission lines of Shiroro-Kaduna line, which is the major line that supplies electricity to the North, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). They already set out to fix this line.
“What they have asked for, which has been provided to them now, is the security cover of the National Security Advisor (NSA) through the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Air Staff to enable them restore the damaged land. We are optimistic that very soon this will be fully restored.”
Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the prolonged blackout in the North.
The mouthpiece of the region warned that the persistent blackout posed a threat to the region’s security and economic well-being.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum expressed grave concern over the power crisis in the region.
It said: “Over the past one week and still counting, most parts of the northern states of Nigeria have been battling with sustained electric power supply outage, leading to a near total paralyses in economic and social activities, not to talk of growing generalised frustration of the populace.
“The situation appears even more dire and frightening as statements from officials charged with the responsibility for power supply, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) suggest that the problem is likely to persist interminable due to technical and security challenges…”
