The Nigerian government has cut its 150 megawatts of electricity daily supply to Niger as part of efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in the country.
The disconnection was effected by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, directly involved in the transmission of power on Tuesday night.
Vanguard quoted a source from the TCN to have confirmed the power supply cut.
“It is true Niger was disconnected from the national grid last night based on the instruction of the government. Nigeria used to supply 150 megawatts, MW of power to Niger,” the source was quoted to have said.
“It is total disconnection in line with ECOWAS moves to restore democracy in that country.”
ECOWAS defence chiefs says military intervention ‘last resort.’
In a related development defence chiefs from the ECOWAS regional bloc who are holding a two-day meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday said a military intervention in junta-ruled Niger was “the last resort”.
“(The) military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
An ECOWAS team headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar was in Niger to “negotiate”, added Musah, speaking at the start of a three-day meeting of the grouping’s military chiefs in the Nigerian capital Abuja.
