TCN Sets the Record Straight Over BEDC Statement on Its Inability To Deliver Power To Its Band A Customers
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN has clarified issues surrounding the inability of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to supply 20 hours of power supply to its band A customers.
The TCN reacted to a publication by BEDC on its social media platform on 12th April 2024 giving reasons for power outage.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of TCN, Ndidi Mbah, the transmission company said, “We hereby note that BEDC attributed this to tripping due to earth fault at Amukpe and tripping due to an XLPE cable puncture at Effurun, both TCN substations ,
is not correct.
“The incorrect attribution of these faults to TCN is clearly shown in the table on that release by IBEDC.”
For clarity, TCN said, “we note that on the 11th of April 2024, the Amukpe 33kV feeder tripped at 2:31pm. and was restored by 4.08pm within 1 hour and 54 minutes.
“The cause of the outage, which was clearly under BEDC purview, was an instantaneous earth fault caused by stormy weather, which was restored on trial reclosure after the rain had subsided.
“Still, on the 11th of April 2024, Effurun 33kV feeder tripped at 12:25 p.m., and it is still out. The cause of the tripping was an earth fault on the outgoing feeder upriser, also from the BEDC DISCO end.
“This report is to set the records straight and to appeal that facts be stated as they are for the benefit of all”, TCN concluded.
The Street Reporters Newspaper recalls that residents of Edo state had recently filed a petitution against the Benin Electricity Distribution Company over poor power supply.
Over 20,000 residents and numerous business owners in Ughiole and Ubiane communities in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State had dragged the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc to the National Assembly over alleged nine months power outage in the area.
A petition signed by Adamu Deco Suleman on behalf of the communities was addressed to the Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, National Assembly, Hon Esosa Iyawe, a Labour Party lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency.
The petition was titled, ‘Public petition against the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for failing to resolve the prolonged power outage in Ughiole and Ubiane communities, Etsako West Local Government, Edo State’.
Suleman attributed the prolonged blackout in the communities to the vandalism of the step-down infrastructure that powers over five transformers, perpetrated by unknown individuals nine months ago.
He opined that the step down transformers exploded as a result of the siphoning of oil from the facilities by unknown vandals, which worsened the plight of the residents.
According to him, when the incident happened, the community leaders promptly alerted the staff and management of the BEDC in the Auchi Business District.
He alleged that, due to the nonchalant attitude of the BEDC to come to their aid, the communities set up a fundraising committee to raise funds for the repair or replacement of the damaged infrastructure.
He explained that the communities have not been able to raise the estimated cost of over N8 million required to procure a new stepdown due to inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.
Suleman, however, expressed regrets that the response from BEDC has been characterized by indifference and neglect.
“Ever since the incident, no stakeholder meetings have been convened, and both communities have been left to endure the hardships of living without electricity, with neither BEDC management nor government intervention forthcoming.”
According to him, due to the continued blackout, the communities had to petition the National Assembly to help them conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and compel BEDC to promptly provide a replacement stepdown to restore power to the communities.
“We urge the committee to understand the urgency of the situation and dispatch a delegation to witness the conditions firsthand and compel relevant government agencies to expedite action on the resolution of the power outage.
“We also want the committee to ensure that, following the restoration of power, BEDC should compensate the affected residents for the dereliction of duty and the hardships endured because the inhabitants of the communities have fled to neighboring areas, thereby worsening the level insecurity, and decimating the local economy, which heavily relies on electricity,” the petition added.
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