The recent vandalization of electrical installations and equipment which threw number of States in the Northern parts of the country into darkness for weeks have come with a huge cost to the coffers of the country.
The Nation reports that the repairs of the vandalized electrical parts by unknown men have so far gulped N9 billion of public funds.
According to the report, the amount is besides the billions of Naira worth of goods, services and man hours wasted by the blackout.
While the report is conservative with the amount, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC-RFT), Nigeria Chapter put the cost of the loss at N1. 5 trillion.
“It is estimated that Kano State alone may have incurred up N10billion in losses,” IHRC-RFT said.
Quoting the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, The Nation stated that “N9 billion has been spent so far” by the Federal Government. The Minister who spoke through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, said the amount was for the repair of the vandalized installations.
This is even as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Public Affairs Manager, Ndidi Mbah, described the losses from the vandalized Shiroro – Kaduna 330kV lines 1&2 as colossal.
He noted that each of the affected lines is capable of wheeling 600MW to the North West.
The TCN confirmed that vandals damaged towers T133 AND T136 along 330kV Shiroro– Kaduna lines 1 & 2.
Mbah stated that two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines one and two were vandalized. A development which caused damages to parts of both installations.
Speaking on the development, she said, “The vandalized Shiroro – Kaduna 330kV lines 1&2 are vital lines. Through which bulk power is transmitted to parts of the North West region, with each line capable of carrying 600MW.
“Vandalism of the towers and transmission lines presents a significant challenge to bulk power transmission in that axis.”
The Commission also stated that by the 21st of the same month vandals also hit the 330kV Ugwuaji – Apir transmission lines. However, Line 1 was repaired and restored on October 30, 2024.
“The reoccurring vandalism, is believed to be partly responsible for the incessant collapse of the national grid.
Recall also that midway into the repairs, gunmen struck afresh in Kogi State on the night of November 12. They damaged in the process the ongoing 330/132/33kV transmission substation at Obajana.
Following these, it has been estimated that Kano State as the commercial nerve centre of the north suffered the most. The State recorded up to N10 billion in economic losses due to vandalization of the installations.
However, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC-RFT), Nigeria Chapter, has put the economic losses of the entire Northern region at N1.5 trillion.
This was disclosed by the Country Director of IHRC-RFT, Nigeria Chapter, Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu. He said in Kano, the State Government needed to do more to stabilize electricity supply.
“Apart from economic losses, the health sector is badly hit by the poor electricity supply. The storage systems (for drugs and other consumables) in hospitals and clinics, for instance, have been affected greatly.
“Educational institutions are not sparred. While households struggle to have safe water, preserve food, charge their phones and operate computers.
“Electricity supply in many parts of Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, and Kwara remains low. And residents want those responsible for power to do more than they are doing now.
“Artisans in particular appealed to Government to consider their plight,” Adamu said.
source: The Nation
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