The Senate on Wednesday asked the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to expedite action on the repair of the vandalised Jos-Gombe 330KV transmission line and restore power to the North East.
Recall that the six states that make up the North East: Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and parts of Plateau State have been contending with blackout sequel to the reported vandalisation of key towers of the power line on the Jos-Gombe route.
The Senate also directed the Federal Ministry of Power to allocate funds for the repairs and extend the power line to include the Gombe-Maiduguri route.
The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Manu Haruna (Taraba Central) during plenary presided over by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
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The Senate also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite action on the construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo-Yola-Gombe 330KV transmission line to connect the North East to the South East transmission line to serve as an alternative supply path to the North East in the event of a fault on the Jos-Gombe line.
The lawmakers also asked the Ministry of Power to collaborate with security agencies and vigilantes in the host communities of TCN transmission lines to deter and prevent vandalism.
In his contribution, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) said, “Let’s find out who did the vandalism. It’s a crime to go and destroy social infrastructure.
“Those who are responsible for this vandalism must be punished. I am happy that the TCN promised to restore power this weekend. I hope they will keep the promise.” Also, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno Central) said prior to the vandalism of the towers last month, some parts of the North East were already without light for the past two years.
He said, “Major facilities like airports and hospitals have no light as a result of the activities of vandals.”
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