The management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has attributed the current poor power supply to its franchise areas to loss of its 150MVA transformer at Kumbotoso Transmission Station in Kano.
Mr Sani Bala-Sani the firm’s Head of Corporate Communications said this in a statement in Kano on Wednesday.
Areas currently affected by the poor power supply are Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
He said “The 150MVA transformer developed fault at exactly 0530hrs on January 1 and since then Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) crew has been working to fix the fault.
“Originally, the faulty 150MVA transformer supplies entire Hadejia, Daura, Kankia and environs, part of Katsina and Dakata in Kano.
“Albeit temporary measures have been employed to supply these areas on a rationing basis, supply has drastically reduced’’.
He recalled that in November 2014, a 150MVA transformer was lost due to a fire outbreak which reduced the installed capacity of the Kumbotso Transmission Station to 450MVA from 600MVA.
“Now the entire KEDCO franchise area is left with a meagre 300MVA which has resulted to supply rationing in the three states of our operations,” he said.
Bala-Sani added that before the incident, KEDCO had been managing to cater for all categories of customers in the three states of its operations including Azare in Bauchi State and Gazoua in Niger Republic.
He also quoted the company’s Chief Technical Officer, Engr. David Omoloye, as saying that “Several meetings have been held in a bid to secure the replacement of the burnt 150MVA transformer since 2014 but to no avail.
“And now another 150MVA transformer has developed fault which has negative impact on our customer satisfaction efforts and business generally.
“Kano which is industrial and commercial hub of northern Nigeria should be given undivided priority in terms of power infrastructure.
“Thus without stable and quality supply, businesses would be crippled which is against our collective will,’’ he said.
Bala-Sani, however, called on customers in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states to exercise patience as KEDCO management was already making efforts to ensure speedy repair or replacement of the faulty transformers.
