North-East Governors slam TCN over persistent blackout in region

The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has berated the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over its nonchalance in tackling head-on, the recent persistent blackout being experienced in the subregion.

The governors said they’re keenly watching to see how committed the TCN is in restoring power supply to the region within the next 10 days.

This was part of the communique issued at the end of the 10th quarterly meeting of the NEGF which held at the Government House, Bauchi on Friday.

The communique which was signed by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and read by the Vice Chairman, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State at about 12.30am on Saturday.

“Forum notes with dismay, the blackout experienced by the region over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.

“Forum is watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the states of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action,” the communique read.

The governors said they have resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts in each of the North-East States.

The governors, who lamented that the subregion despite its huge population and vast landmass has only one transmission line, pointed that this has made the North-East most disadvantaged for economic growth.

The communique stated that: “Forum notes with deep concern that the Northeast, is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300,000 square kilometres and a population of over 35 million.

“This has made the region the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age.

“Forum therefore calls on the Minister of Power and indeed the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to implement the extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi – Gassol – Jalingo linking to Adamawa – Gombe – Bauchi and the extension of the 330KV line from Kano- Bauchi- Yobe, linking to Borno.

“Forum resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dam which the region has not been benefitting from because of the Ministry of Power has failed to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi – Gassol- Jalingo line.”