NEWS
Major Power Outage Hits Northern Nigeria After Transmission Line Failure
Northern Nigeria is experiencing widespread power outages following the tripping of two major 330kV transmission lines operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The affected lines, Ugwaji–Apir Double Circuit Transmission Lines 1 & 2, tripped early Tuesday morning, causing significant disruptions across the North-east, North-west, and parts of the North-central regions.
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The TCN General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the outage occurred when both circuits experienced faults within minutes of each other.
“At approximately 4:53 am, the Ugwuaji–Markurdi 330kV Line 2 tripped, transferring 243 MW to Line 1 on the same route.
“However, at 4:58 am, Line 1 also tripped, resulting in a total loss of 468 MW. Attempts to restore power on both lines at 5:15 am and 5:17 am were unsuccessful, as they tripped again due to the same relay indications,” Mbah said.
In response to the incident, TCN dispatched teams of linesmen to begin fault tracing along the 215-kilometer route, which stretches between Ugwuaji and Apir, involving 245 transmission towers.
A team from the Apir Transmission Sub-region has been patrolling the line since Monday, navigating difficult terrain along the River Benue.
However, they have not yet located the source of the fault.
Complicating efforts, a patrol team from the Enugu region was delayed by a sit-at-home directive in the South-East on October 21st and 22nd.
The directive prevented the team from commencing work and delayed refueling efforts for their patrol vehicles. Security operatives were later arranged to escort the team, who began fault tracing on Tuesday.
While TCN has managed to restore supply to the 132kV transmission line from New Haven to Apir, the more critical 330kV lines remain down, impacting electricity supply to much of Northern Nigeria.
Compounding the issue, the Shiroro-Mando transmission line has also been taken offline due to security concerns in the region, further exacerbating the outage.
The TCN has assured affected communities that it is working around the clock to resolve the issue and restore power as soon as possible.
However, the scale of the outage and the ongoing challenges faced by the repair teams suggest that normal service may not be restored immediately.
NEWS
JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77trn Loan Request
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
RELATED NEWS: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit
Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
NEWS
Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been arrested by Finnish authorities on allegations of inciting terrorist activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered his detention following an incident that reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021.
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The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the arrest of four other individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the charges involve public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.
Details regarding the additional suspects or the specifics of the alleged crimes remain unclear as the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized the sensitive nature of the case, stating that further information will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses.
This development marks a significant step in Finland’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.
International News
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.
The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.
The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.
Ambiguity in Funding Commitments
Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.
“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.
The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.
Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Provisions and Concerns
The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.
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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.
However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.
David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.
“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.
Rising Frustration from the Global South
Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.
Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.
“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Critical Juncture
With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.
Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.