President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and relevant agencies to expedite efforts to restore electricity to the 17 northern states currently facing a prolonged blackout.
This directive comes in response to recent incidents of vandalism that have damaged the critical Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, leaving millions without power.
During a meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Tinubu expressed his concern over the impact of the blackout on social and economic activities in the region. “The President directed a long-term solution to the problem,” stated Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
The outages, which have persisted for over a week, have raised alarms about the state of public utilities and infrastructure in Nigeria. In addressing the issue, Tinubu emphasized that the government will no longer tolerate acts of sabotage against public assets. “He is saddened by the reports of vandalism and wilful destruction of power infrastructure,” Onanuga noted.
Adelabu reported that repairs on the damaged transmission lines have faced challenges, particularly concerning the safety of maintenance crews. In light of this, Tinubu has instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate with military forces to ensure the safety of engineers working on restoration efforts, including providing aerial security coverage.
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Traditional rulers and community leaders have also been called upon to assist in safeguarding public infrastructure, underscoring a collective responsibility to protect vital services.
With millions affected, the urgency of Tinubu’s directives signals a renewed commitment to addressing the electricity crisis and enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
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