The low electricity supply witnessed in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has worsened with the vandalism of the Tower 70 along 330kV Gwagwalada -Katampe.
Daily Trust reports that Nigeria’s city of power has been witnessing frequent power cuts due to low supply to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The situation has been blamed on the low generation of electricity by power generation companies which in turn said heavy debt owed by distribution companies was the reason they could not afford to get gas.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) while announcing the vandalism stated that the affected tower is now standing precariously on the ground.
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In a statement by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, she said the incident occurred on the 26th of February, around 11.32 pm.
“At the said time, the Gwagwalada – Katampe Transmission line tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN operators failed, necessitating a physical patrol of the line. The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four (4) tower footings of Tower 70 were vandalised, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors,” she said.
She said the incident reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW.
She stated that the company mobilised to the site of the incident and has commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.
“We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or to the nearest TCN offices nationwide,” she said.
