TCN’s N400m power transformer collapses as Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger Republic face imminent darkness

By Yakubu Ahmed-BK

One of the six power transformers supplying electricity to Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger Republic has packed up, raising fears that electricity supply will be adversely effected in the three areas.

The implication for electricity consumers in the areas is that as heat continues to build up, electricity load shedding arising from the power transformer failure will make life difficult for the people on account of inadequate supply.

A discreet investigation conducted by this reporter revealed that ordinarily, the transformer has a 30 year old lifespan. But the one in question, said to have been purchased from India in 2011 by the last management of TCN, packed up after just nine years.

It was discovered that the immediate past management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) fraudulently bought from sub standard companies in India instead of buying from technically sound experts from Europe. This was the usual practice in such purchases and the reason was to ensure quality and delivery.

An impeccable source gave an example of one of the six transformers in Birnin Kebbi that was bought from Europe since 1975 which still stands and is working in perfect condition.

The source which exonerated staff of TCN in Birnin Kebbi from blame for the sudden failure of the N400 Million transformer, alleged that the transformer was substandard and therefore susceptible to packing up any time. “Indian transformers are not as good as their European counterparts. In most cases, insulation failure occurs and they just stop working.”

A resident of Birnin Kebbi and a University lecturer Dr. Haruna Sani has therefore appealed to the management of the TCN to rise up to the occasion by rectifying the situation and saving electricity consumers from the likely hardship associated with the incoming hot season.

While commending the Usman Gur led TCN management for the positive reforms that have brought about positive changes in TCN operation which are being felt nationwide, Dr. Sani also commended the current leadership at the transmission station in Birnin Kebbi for the hard work they always exhibit in the delicate matters of managing critical transmission infrastructure in the Sokoto/Birnin Kebbi/Niger Republic transmission axis.