A truck collided with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, transmission tower, causing power outages in some areas of Abuja.
WITHIN NIGERIA learned that some areas of Abuja, including Dutse, Dawaki, and Gwarinpa, were without power for more than 24 hours.
The situation was confirmed in a statement made public on Tuesday by TCN’s general manager of public affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah.
Mbah disclosed that the incident resulted in restricted outage in Maitama, Wuse, Central Area, and some parts of Garki.
She said, “Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that it is working assiduously to put in place a bypass from the Katampe Substation to the GIS substation in the Central Area to restore power supply to the area and environs.
“The current restricted outage situation in parts of Abuja, is caused by a truck loaded with gravel that lost control and crashed into TCN’s 132kV transmission tower No 20, supplying bulk electricity to the 100MVA part of the Katampe Substation and 2x60MVA GIS Central Area Substation.
“The incident which occurred at about 2.55 pm this afternoon, brought down the tower, but did not record any loss of life. Attempts are being made by TCN engineers to remove the conductors presently lying on the road to ensure ease of movement around the area.
“Presently TCN engineers are at the site of the incident and are already assessing the level of damage and attempting to put in place remedial installation in the form of a temporary by-pass to restore electricity supply to the affected areas.
“Consequent upon the incident, there is restricted outage in Maitama, Wuse, Central Area, and some parts of Garki.
“Meanwhile, as every effort is being made to put in place a remedial source of supply, TCN is assuring affected customers that it will work round the clock to ensure that restoration is quickly achieved, after which it would commence the dismantling and reconstruction of a new transmission tower to replace the damaged one.
“TCN assures that its engineering lines crew are making every effort to restore power supply and notes that supply will be restored as soon as possible.”