President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the ongoing blackout affecting northern Nigeria.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the area has been faced with electricity disruption due to vandalism which in turn has impacted the daily life and business in the region.
The President, on Monday, asked the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to work quickly to restore electricity across the affected states.
A statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu in a recent meeting with Minister Adelabu, was briefed on TCN’s ongoing repairs to the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which was severely damaged.
To prevent any delays, the President has also directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to deploy security, including Army and Air Force support, to protect engineers working on the repairs.
Additionally, the President has called on traditional leaders and community members to help safeguard public infrastructure.
The statement reads in full:
STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER BLACKOUT IN THE NORTH, DIRECTS SPEEDY RESTORATION OF ELECTRICITY
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed concern over the blackout in the northern region of Nigeria in the last week. He is now leading efforts to end the disruption that has paralysed social and economic activities, summoning the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The President has directed the Minister of Power and relevant agencies to speed up the pace of work to restore electricity to all the affected states in the North.
President Tinubu is saddened by the reports of vandalism and wilful destruction of power infrastructure and other public assets that caused the unfortunate blackout.
In a meeting with the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, who briefed on efforts made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria to repair the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, the President directed a long-term solution to the problem.
President Tinubu charged TCN engineers not to relent in bringing immediate relief to the people who need electricity to sustain their social and economic activities.
To ensure that restoration work continues unhindered, President Tinubu also directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to work with the Army and Air Force to deploy adequate security personnel, including aerial cover, to protect the engineers who are fixing the damaged transmission line.
President Tinubu implores traditional rulers, community leaders, and other leaders of thought to work with security agencies to protect public assets and infrastructure.
He said the government will no longer condone deliberate sabotage and destruction of public utilities.
