The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engineer Sule Abdulaziz, has disclosed that a significant fire incident at the TCN power station in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, has resulted in the urgent need to replace two major transformers, MVA 90 and MVA 60. The blaze, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, impacted the power supply to both Kebbi and Sokoto states.
Engineer Sule Abdulaziz personally visited the affected power station on Friday to assess the extent of the damage and oversee recovery efforts. According to him, engineers have already commenced work to restore the station to full functionality.
Due to the extensive damage caused by the fire, it is estimated that it will take approximately two weeks for the TCN to repair the power station fully and reinstate electricity supply to both Kebbi and Sokoto states. In the interim, a temporary arrangement has been devised, with Sokoto to be powered by the station at Talata Mafara and Kebbi receiving power from Sokoto.
To fund the replacement of the two vital transformers destroyed in the incident, TCN is facing a financial requirement of $4 million. The precise cause of the fire remains under investigation by experts engaged by the company.
During a visit to the Emir Gwandu’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, Engineer Abdulaziz assured the Emir, Alhaji Illiyasu Bashir, that the TCN is committed to swiftly restoring power to the state, recognizing the essential role electricity plays in the daily lives of the people. In response, the Emir emphasized the critical importance of electricity in modern society, urging the TCN to expedite the process of bringing light back to the region to alleviate the suffering of its residents.
The TCN MD and his management team have vowed to take swift action in replacing the damaged transformers and ensuring the prompt return of electricity to the affected areas. The incident serves as a reminder of the vital role that the TCN plays in ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s power supply infrastructure.
