The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed a recent power outage in parts of Kaduna to the collapse of a transmission tower caused by severe weather conditions. According to Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, the incident occurred on September 18, when tower No. 7 along the Kaduna town line I and II in Rigasa community collapsed due to a severe downpour and windstorm.
The collapse resulted in a disruption to the transmission of bulk power to some parts of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) load centers, particularly those supplying parts of Kaduna South. Upon inspecting the site, TCN’s linesmen discovered that vandals had removed some of the tower members, making it susceptible to collapse.
The incident primarily affected power supply to parts of Kaduna South, causing power interruptions in some communities. However, to mitigate the impact, TCN has advised KAEDCO to link its 33 Kilovolt (KV) Mogadishu feeder with the 33KV Abakwa feeder, enabling electricity customers in Mogadishu to access power supply.
Areas such as Kinkinau, Yan Tukwane, Kabala West, Unguwan Muazu, and Kaduna North were unaffected by the incident and continue to receive normal power supply. TCN engineers are currently working to dismantle the collapsed tower members and clear the site to commence the re-erection of a new tower.
The company has apologized for the inconvenience caused to affected customers in Southern Kaduna and appreciates their patience and understanding as they work to restore power supply. Efforts are being made to minimize the duration of the outage, with TCN engineers working around the clock to build a new tower. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Nigeria’s power sector, including vandalism and severe weather conditions, which can impact the reliability of power supply.
