The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that it has successfully restored electricity supply to Birinin Gwari and Yauri in Kaduna, and Kebbi States respectively. Power supply was restored at about 5:10pm on Monday, 24th July, 2017, 11days after the collapse of tower No 183, on Monday, 24th July, 2017.
In a statement signed by the General Manager (Public Affairs), Seun Olagunju, TCN said that its 132kV Transmission Tower No 183, between Tegina and Kontagora in Niger State, had collapsed at about 7am on Thursday, 13th July, 2017, due to severe flashflood caused by heavy rainfall, which eroded the base of the transmission tower, despite remedial works carried out to fortify its foundation.
According to the statement, TCN’s engineering crew were immediately mobilized to the site of the incident and worked assiduously to construct transmission line by-pass towers that would ensure supply of electricity to the areas affected by the incident. The transmission line by-pass towers, were successfully erected and power supply restored to Birinin Gwari and Yauri on the 24th of July, 2017.
TCN further stated that its engineering crew is still working to restore its primary circuit breaker damaged by angry youths in Tegina substation, to enable it supply from the substation. Power supply to Kontagora substation it noted, would also be restored as soon as it completes repairs on the stations circuit breaker.
With the transmission line by-pass tower, TCN said that it has resumed normal transmission of electricity to Yauri and Birnin Gwari Emirates under Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company. However Tegina and Kontagora would have power as soon as the circuit breaker previously damaged is put back to use.
TCN regrets inconveniences caused to electricity customers in Teguna, Kotangora, Birinin Gwari, Yauri and environs in Niger, Kaduna and Kebbi states, and pledged to continue to work hard to put in place measures that would help safeguard its installations against such natural disasters and further strengthened its transmission network.
Meanwhile, TCN has commissioned a new 40MVA Transformer at its 132/33kV transmission Sub-station at Mayo-Belwa as part of efforts to improve power supply in the nation. The newly constructed station was energized on Tuesday the 11th of July, 2017 by 12.10pm.
In a statement signed by the General Manager (Public Affairs), Seun Olagunju, TCN said with the completion of the new station, transmission capacity in Yola Sub-region has increased with about 32MW. The Mayo-Belwa 132/33kV substation connects Ngurore 33kV Feeder and Mayo-Belwa 33kV Feeder thus extending power supply to Jada, Toungo, Ganye and several other towns and villages in Taraba State.
Prior to the construction of the new station, Mayo-Belwa received power supply from Yola Transmission Station, through the 33kV Mayo-Belwa/ Numan feeder.
TCN revealed that it is working with Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State to build two new 330kV substations in Kaduna and Zaria and three additional 132kV substations at Rigasa, Kakau and Jaji as well as the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Kano 330kV SC transmission line. The company is also collaborating with Kebbi, Kano, Ogun, Lagos, Bauchi Abia and Edo State Governors among others, in implementing its flagship Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP).