By Hosea Parah, Abuja
Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister for Power, has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other relevant agencies to immediately implement the recommendations of a newly established inter-agency committee. This comes after a recent disruption to the national grid, which was reported by TCN on Thursday at 11:29 am.
The grid disturbance, caused by a sudden frequency surge from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz, triggered an immediate response from TCN’s recovery teams. The company confirmed that power was restored to the Abuja region within minutes, though recovery efforts are still ongoing to stabilize the system.
Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications, emphasized the urgency of resolving the ongoing grid issues. “The committee’s recommendations are comprehensive and will provide long-term solutions to the frequent grid collapses that have plagued the country,” he said, underscoring the significance of the report submitted on November 6, 2024.
Meanwhile, Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN, assured the public that the company is working to ensure a reliable power supply during the repair process. Current efforts are focused on key upgrades, including the 330kV transmission line along the Shiroro-Mando axis and improvements at the Jebba Transmission Substation.
Mbah explained that the recent frequency spike was linked to issues at one of TCN’s substations, which was temporarily shut down to prevent further disruption. As part of the broader repair plan, TCN is addressing weaknesses identified in a recent investigative report on previous grid failures, with a focus on strengthening the grid’s overall stability.
While TCN officials are optimistic about the long-term benefits of these repairs, they have warned that intermittent instability may persist during the upgrade process. Mbah appealed for public patience as the company works to enhance the grid’s resilience, noting the crucial role a stable power supply plays in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The Minister for Power has stressed the importance of swift and decisive action to restore stability to the national grid and prevent future collapses, ensuring a more reliable electricity supply for the country.