US embassy cable - 02ABUJA2263

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002263 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR AF/EX FOR JAMIE AGNEW, DS/OP/AF, DS/PSP/FPD 
FOR M/OBO FOR EMIL PIEKARZ 
POSTS FOR ESO 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2012 
TAGS: AMGT, ASEC, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEGRADING SECURITY SITUATION DUE TO POWER 
PROBLEMS 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR HOWARD F. JETER: REASON: 1.5(G) 
 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: This is an immediate action request (see 
para 5).  Since July 13 Post has experienced numerous power 
and generator related problems resulting in the failure or 
breakdown of vital security and communication equipment. 
These breakdowns have degraded the Embassy's security 
posture and materially diminished our communications 
abilities.  On July 31, most Embassy operations were shut 
down for three hours due to this recurrent problem.  To 
prevent the further degradation of our security and 
communication equipment and to ensure that the Embassy is 
not faced with another unexpected halt in its operations, 
Post requests Department send a team to help identify and 
solve our power supply problems which have now reached a 
critical stage.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
2. (C) After installation of a new generator transfer switch 
and generator on July 13, we have experienced ongoing power 
supply problems affecting the IOB and the Compound Access 
Control (CAC) facility, resulting in damage to some of our 
most important and sensitive security and communication 
equipment.  We have had 2 complete power blackouts (totaling 
2.5 hours), 72 hours with low voltage (averaging 213 volts), 
multiple surges (maxing out at 280 volts), numerous tripped 
breakers, and this morning the mag locks jammed with no way 
to turn them off.  Each disturbance caused damage, the 
cumulative effect of which has been the continual erosion of 
Post's physical security and Post's ability to function. 
 
 
3. (C) Damage has been significant.  Several CCTV monitors 
have been destroyed, two (2) walkthrough metal detectors are 
inoperable, 1 Hirsch access control keypad is unusable, we 
have lost use of the explosives detection itemizer unit, our 
E&E base station radio, 1 power supply and transformer 
within the Post Communications Center (PCC), as well as 
numerous UPS units.  Other items have been locally repaired 
to temporary functionality, including all CAC door controls, 
the Embassy switchboard, motorized compound vehicle access 
gates and the hardline security doors on both the IOB and 
EOB. 
 
 
4. (C) We are extremely concerned about Post's diminishing 
security posture. RSO's replacement security equipment stock 
has been nearly depleted and we cannot sustain many more 
losses to this inventory.  Our concerns are compounded 
because we do not have the expertise at Post to pinpoint and 
isolate the problem.  An equipment-damaging reoccurrence 
could take place at any time.  SEO Lagos is en route to 
Abuja to attempt to repair some of the damage to the 
security equipment, but the SEO does not have the expertise 
to tackle the source of this overall facility power problem. 
 
 
5. (C) Action request: Post requests immediate assistance of 
a team of qualified, cleared electricians (presumably 
WASHMAC) to help identify and solve the continuous power 
problems we are facing. In addition the Embassy requests 
expedited consideration of the funded generator survey Post 
submitted for OBO final approval.  The situation has become 
critical. 
JETER