Spokesperson of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Ndidi Mbah who confirmed the attack on Monday, January 20, disclosed that they are working to restore electricity as the electricity equipment serving the state capital and its environs were damaged.

She said “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby inform the public that Maiduguri and its environs have been cut off from the National Grid since January 17, 2020, due to damages to TCN’s equipment by insurgents. The incident affected the 330kV transmission line between Maiduguri and Damaturu. Also, the Damboa – Maiduguri 132kV transmission line has equally been disconnected from the grid for some time, for the same reason. TCN has located the fault on the Maiduguri – Damaturu line and has arranged to repair the line. Bulk electricity would be restored to Maiduguri on or before January 20, 2020. TCN pledges to continue to work to ensure bulk electricity transmission and grid expansion nationwide. The company wishes to use this opportunity to commend the Nigeria Armed Forces for their continued support especially in areas prone to insecurity. TCN regrets inconveniences caused by this problem to electricity consumers in the affected areas.”

According to the spokesperson of TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, in a statement said the energized transformer, which was installed under the supervision of TCN’s engineers, has increased the capacity of the substation from 165MVA to 265MVA.

It said: “Prior to the installation of the 100MVA transformer, Ogba Substation had two units of 60MVA 132/33kV transformers and one unit of 45MVA 132/33kV mobile transformer.”

To ensure optimal utilization of the newly installed transformer, a new switchyard comprising 132kV, 33kV and three units of 33kV feeders was equally installed and commissioned.

TCN said with the increase in the substation’s capacity, from 165MVA to 265MVA, the substation now has more bulk electricity available for Ikeja Distribution Company (DisCo) to take to its customers within Ikeja Industrial Area, Ogba – Ijaiye, Agege Pen Cinema, Magoro Cement, Ojodu and Ifako-Ijaiye areas of Lagos.

To optimize the capacity of the commissioned 100MVA transformer at Ogba and other substations feeding Ikeja DisCo, it said, TCN has already imported high capacity conductors and would soon conclude a reconductoring contract that will expand the transmission lines under the DisCo.

“This will more than double the current capacity of the lines.

“TCN has sustained the implementation of the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) under which the capacity of the company will be expanded to 20,000MW by 2023,” the statement noted.