Abuja: Dr. Umar Abubakar-Hashidu, Managing Director of Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KEDCO), has assured electricity consumers in Kebbi that normal power supply would be restored to the area this week. Abubakar-Hashidu made the disclosure while interacting with journalists shortly after a closed-door meeting with Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the MD attributed the current epileptic power supply to the destruction of three towers on the 330 KV line from Kanji to Birnin Kebbi to Niger Republic. He noted that work on the affected towers had reached an advanced stage, with engineers and other technical personnel making significant progress in addressing the issue.
Abubakar-Hashidu mentioned that measures are being taken by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, and KEDCO to ensure the restoration of power to affected areas. He recalled that about three weeks ago, the collapse of three towers on the 330 KV Birnin Kebbi transmission line hindered the transmission of bulk power from Kanji to Birnin Kebbi, affecting not only Birnin Kebbi and Sokoto but also Niger Republic and other neighboring countries.
He explained that the 330 KV line is operated by TCN, which supplies bulk power for distribution to customers. Following the tower collapse, a decision was made to back feed Sokoto, Kebbi, and Talatan Mafara through the 132 KV line from Zaria-Funtua to Talatan Mafara, Sokoto, and down to Kebbi. However, the MD confirmed that the voltage was very low due to the distance from Kebbi to Zaria, with Zaria being fed from Enugu through Benue to Jos to Zaria.
Abubakar-Hashidu expressed optimism, stating, “I am happy to give the good news that by this weekend the 330 KV line will be back. Energy and bulk power will be restored to Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, and Yauri. All the four transmission stations within this axis that are power dedicated to KV line will have power, and all these issues of low voltage will be over.”
