18th September, 2015
The Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major-General S. Yusuf, has assured Distributing Companies (DISCO’s), Generating Companies (GENCO’s) and Transmission Companies of Nigeria (TCN) that the army will do everything possible to ensure a round the clock safety of the Power infrastructure assets across the country.
This is against the backdrop of the general insecurity in the land, especially the ongoing insurgency in the North – East region.
The army chief said it is the army’s constitutional duty to provide security when national assets are under high level threat of attack.
At a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, in Abuja, which was attended by Discos, Gencos, TCN, Market Operator, NELMCO, NEMSA and all key players, with the Military high command, all issues pertaining to deployment of troops, logistic support and operational review, since the period preceding the handing over of assets to private companies were examined.
The Permanent Secretary (Power), Ambassador Godknows Igali, who presided over the meeting, used the occasion to commend the gallantry of the men in securing this infrastructure, especially when labour unions were hell bent in truncating the privatization efforts.
Adding that inspite of the obvious threat to lives and property by the ravaging union members no live was loss.
He challenged the Army to prevail on their Officers and men on the field to sustain the momentum of providing safety for the nation’s power infrastructure, pledging the Ministry’s commitment to leave no stone no stone unturned in ensuring full restoration of power to areas already liberated from the Boko Haram Insurgency.
Ambassador Igali further gave the assurance that Power Sector Stakeholders are prepared to do their best in the quest to energize all liberated territories, just as he said that Nigerian Government will do all possible to reintegrate people in that region.
He used the occasion to announce that Power has been restored to Ibbi in Taraba – State, under Yola Disco that had electricity disruption as a result of communal clashes in the area, debunking the insinuation that it was as a result of insurgency.