Power Blackout: North To Suffer For 13 More Days

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has assured that electricity would be restored to some parts of the north currently experiencing power blackout.

The minister gave the assurance when he was being grilled by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday.

No fewer than 17 northern states have been experiencing power cut for days due to vandalism of power infrastructure by suspected terrorists.

Only two states in the northern Nigerian, Kwara and Niger are not affected by the blackout.

The magazine reported that the Senate Deputy President, Barau Jibrin blamed the problem on terrorists who vandalised power infrastructure in the affected areas.

Efforts, Jibrin said, are ongoing to restore power to the affected areas with the assistance of the military and other critical stakeholders such as the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Office of the National Security Adviser,,NSA,  and the Ministry of Power.

Speaking yesterday, Adelabu said it will take at least 14 days for the destroyed  vandalised infrastructure to be repaired so that electricity can be fully restored.

Recall that TCN had earlier said the problem can be fixed within five days.

According to the minister, the affected 17 states will remain in blackout till Tuesday, November 12, 2024, saying the ministry is on top of the situation to ensure that the problem is fixed within the stipulated time.

Adelabu said, “We are working with security agencies to access the grid would currently occupied by vandals.

“I assure you that within the next 14 days, the repairs will be completed, and power will be fully restored to the North.”

The magazine reported that the blackout has seriously affected economic activities in the affected states, amidst worries among northern leaders that the situation will further exacerbate the suffering of their people, thereby raising tension among them.

On Monday the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen Christopher Musa met the 19 northern governors on how to fix the problem as well as insecurity in the region.

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians have called on the federal government to ensure that electricity is quickly restored to the affected areas as promised to bring succour to the suffering masses.