₦9bn to fix vandalised Kaduna power – Minister of Power

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₦9bn to fix vandalised Kaduna power – Minister of Power

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed concern over the growing cases of infrastructure vandalism across the country, revealing that the federal government spent over ₦9 billion to restore vandalized power infrastructure in Northern Nigeria in 2024.

Adelabu noted that the persistent vandalism is undermining the government’s efforts to ensure an adequate power supply to Nigerians.

In response to a report regarding the ₦8 billion appropriation in the 2025 budget for the ministry, the minister clarified that the amount is specifically allocated for advocacy, education, public enlightenment, and the provision of technology to protect power infrastructure. He emphasized that this is not meant for sensitization on electricity bill payments, as some have claimed.

READ ALSO: Over 18 transmission towers vandalised in January — TCN

He further disclosed that the Nigerian government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), spent over ₦9 billion to restore transmission towers and lines destroyed by terrorists along the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna line, which resulted in a widespread blackout in parts of Northern Nigeria last year. However, repair efforts are being hindered by the activities of bandits in the affected areas.

Adelabu stated, “It cost the TCN over ₦9 billion to restore the transmission towers and lines destroyed by terrorists on the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna line, which plunged large parts of northern Nigeria into darkness last year. To date, the work is yet to be completed due to bandits’ activities that continue to hinder repair efforts.”

The minister also highlighted that last weekend, nearly half of Abuja experienced a blackout due to the actions of vandals. He expressed concern over the increasing frequency and violence of these attacks, noting that they have escalated significantly in recent years. He recalled that last year, the entire northern region of the country was left in the dark for over two weeks due to terrorist and bandit attacks on transmission lines, with dynamite used to bring down towers.

Adelabu reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling grid collapse issues through the second phase of the Siemens project, which is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025. This phase will include the construction of 14 brownfield substations and 20 greenfield substations.

He also shared that the pilot stage of the Siemens project has successfully installed 8 power transformers and 5 mobile substations in various states, including Kogi, Delta, Edo, Abuja, Lagos, Yobe, Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Oyo, and Ogun.

On addressing grid collapses, Adelabu emphasized ongoing efforts to combat the issues arising from years of neglect and deterioration of infrastructure. He pointed to the Siemens project as one solution, with the pilot stage nearly 95% complete. The second phase will further strengthen the grid, reducing instances of collapse. Additionally, the SCADA project is still in progress.

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