Storm destroys four electricity towers in Niger
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said four transmission towers have been destroyed by heavy rainfall along Tegina-Kontagora power line in Niger state last Friday just as it says its engineers have mobilised to site for the construction of a temporary transmission bye-pass.
According to a statement issued by the TCN Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs), Dave Ifabiyi, the by-pass line would temporarily replace the 132kV transmission line from Tegina to Kotangora, which was destroyed.
TCN said the four transmission towers numbers, 48, 49, 50 and 51 were destroyed as a result of the incident at Corner Mariga after Tegina, causing power outage in the area; and sequel to the loss, it could not transmit electricity power on the 132kV transmission line from Shiroro to Kotangora.
“Detecting the fault area on the line, TCN lines engineers promptly isolated the defective axis of the 132kV transmission line from Tegina to Kotangora and re-energized Shiroro to Tegina line,” the statement read in part.
It noted that the company is making concerted efforts to restore supply to Kontangora and Yawuri towns by constructing a bye-pass that would divert power temporary from the fallen towers to Kontagora, Yawuri and environs.
It said the Shiroro-Tegina 132 kV transmission line was restored same day with subsequent power supply being restored Meriga, Tegina, Birinin Gwari and suburbs.
It said 132 poles are already in Kotangora and are being moved to the various construction sites along with other materials that would be used for the construction of the temporal transmission line bye-pass that would salvage the situation in the affect areas well as Kotangora and Yawuri towns within 10 days.
The company pledged to fast track the construction of the transmission bye-pass to ensure prompt restoration of power supply while it plans the permanent reconstruction of the affected towers.