President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to restore electricity in Northern Nigeria with immediate effect.
Tinubu issued the order after he summoned the minister and the NSA over the blackout in the northern region of the country in the last week.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who made this known in a statement said the President was now leading efforts to end the disruption that had paralysed social and economic activities.
“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,” Onanuga said.
According to the statement, President Tinubu in a meeting with the Power Minister, who briefed him on efforts made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to repair the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, directed a long-term solution to the problem.
Onanuga said, “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.”
He added, “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.”