Power outage: Northern group expressed sadness over delay in repairs

 

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has raised alarms regarding the ongoing power outages in northern Nigeria, attributing them to vandalism on the second Shiroro Power Line. This line is crucial for supplying electricity to the Kaduna Station, which distributes power to several northern states. The coalition's national coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, expressed discontent over the lack of timely repairs, highlighting that the first power line has been faulty for months without intervention.

The CNG emphasized that two towers along the damaged line have not received adequate attention, contributing to the prolonged outage. They noted that the alternative supply from the Jos line has been unreliable, further complicating the situation. The coalition pointed out significant infrastructural deficiencies, revealing that the North is severely underserved in terms of electricity infrastructure compared to regions like Lagos, which benefits from multiple power lines.

The statement also highlighted the disparities in electricity distribution, where northern distribution companies (DisCos) receive far less power than those in the south. For instance, northern DisCos collectively receive only a fraction of the power allocated to Lagos's Eko and Ikeja DisCos. This inequity has exacerbated the impact of the outages on businesses, which are nearing collapse due to the extended power failures.

In light of these issues, the CNG urged the federal government, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), northern governors, and lawmakers to take immediate action to restore power and conduct a comprehensive review of the electricity distribution framework to ensure fair access across all regions.