Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has blamed a widespread power outage in sections of Kaduna on the toppling of a transmission tower, triggered by intense rainfall and strong winds.
TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, detailed the event in a statement released from Abuja on Saturday.
”TCN wishes to inform residents of Kaduna State that tower No. 7 along the Kaduna town line I and II in Rigasa community collapsed on Sept. 18, due to severe downpour and windstorm,” Mbah noted.
The failure disrupted the flow of bulk electricity to several load centers under the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), especially those serving portions of Kaduna South, she explained.
During an on-site assessment, TCN’s line workers found evidence of vandalism, with thieves having removed key structural components from the tower, leaving it vulnerable to failure.
”The incident primarily affected power supply to parts of Kaduna South, causing power interruption in some communities,” Mbah stated.
To limit the disruption’s reach, TCN recommended that KAEDCO connect its 33 Kilovolt (kV) Mogadishu feeder to the 33kV Abakwa feeder, restoring supply to Mogadishu customers.
Mbah pointed out that unaffected zones like Kinkinau, Yan Tukwane, Kabala West, Unguwan Muazu, and Kaduna North continue to receive steady electricity.
TCN’s technical team is on location, breaking down the fallen structure to prepare the ground for erecting a replacement tower, she added.
”We apologise for the inconvenience the incident has caused the affected customers in Southern Kaduna, and we sincerely appreciate their patience and understanding as we continue to work round the clock to build a new tower.
”Please note that every effort is being made to minimise the duration of the outage,” she concluded.
