Kaduna residents celebrate as electricity is restored after weeklong outage

There was jubilation in Kaduna metropolis when residents suddenly saw the city brighten up with electricity supply as a power outage lasting more than one week came to an end.

Many citizens in the state who could not afford the constant purchase of fuel were seen trooping to their business premises to turn on electrical appliances to save their perishable items and support other aspects of their businesses.

The electricity supply resumed in many parts of the state late Wednesday night.

Most residents were seen heading to their shops and other business locations in Unguwar Romi, Sabo, Trikania, Television Village, and other neighbourhoods to take advantage of the sudden restoration of the electricity supply.

Additionally, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had earlier announced the restoration of power to seven states, including Lafia (Nasarawa), Makurdi (Benue), Jos (Plateau), Kaduna (Kaduna), Kano (Kano), Bauchi (Bauchi), and Gombe (Gombe). These states had experienced a total blackout due to the vandalization of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line by insurgents.

The General Manager, Public Affairs at TCN, Ndidi Mbah, in a statement made available to journalists, said that electricity supply was restored at 4:56 pm on Wednesday following the completion of repairs on the vandalised section of the line.

She added that all hands are on deck to commence work on the second 330kV transmission line by the engineering team as soon as the site is secured for the safety of TCN personnel.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully restored bulk power supply through its 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line 1 as of 4:56 pm today, following the completion of repairs on the vandalised section of the line.

“With the restoration of this line, the Apir-Lafia 330kV transmission line 2 is now operational. Bulk power transmission has also been restored to Lafia, Makurdi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe states.

“As restoration efforts continue, the TCN engineering team is preparing to commence work on the second 330kV transmission line. All necessary materials for the repairs are on hand, and work will begin as soon as the site is secured for the safety of our personnel on the affected sections of the vandalised 330kV transmission line two.

“In the meantime, teams of linesmen will re-patrol the 330kV line 2 to ensure that no other sections are impacted as the repair works progress.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as our engineers work diligently to restore the 330kV transmission line 2.

“TCN recognizes the importance of electricity in our daily lives and is committed to ensuring that this line is repaired swiftly, thereby increasing the bulk power to the area affected by the incident,” the statement concluded.