TCN's proposed two-month power outage is rejected by Ekiti

The two-month power outage scheduled for July and August has been rejected by the Ekiti State Government.

The public was previously informed of this intention by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company in a circular, particularly its clients in Ekiti and the neighboring state of Ondo State.

The idea, according to Ekiti, is opposed because it would require the state’s inhabitants to pay a “unacceptable economic, financial, and social price.”

The administration requested that such a proposal be put on hold and that all impacted parties attend an urgent meeting, which is set for Tuesday, July 2 at the Ekiti State administration Secretariat.

According to PUNCH Online, the BEDC announced the planned outage for specific times in July and August in a public notice that was broadcast on radio and other social media platforms.

TCN declared its intention to perform essential upkeep on the 132 kV Akure-Osogbo transmission line.

In the meantime, no direct notification or communication was made to the state government, according to a letter dated June 30 from the state commissioner for public utilities, Mobolaji Aluko, to the chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Company, Abuja, the MD/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Abuja, and the MD/CEO of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Benin-City.

The letter was titled “Re: Notification of Power Disruption/Outage in Ado-Ekiti and Akure for two months (July, August 2024).”

“The planned disruption of electricity in these two months amounts to an unacceptable economic, financial, and social price to be paid by the citizens of Ekiti State, and we totally reject such a plan,” the commissioner said.

The commissioner reiterated that the state government was not consulted and that their agreement was not requested.

It read further, “Our attention has been called to public notifications, both in print and in jingles in English and in Yoruba, of the intention of BEDC, under advice by TCN, to disrupt power supply to the transmission stations in Akure and Ado-Ekiti with the effect of adversely affecting Ekiti and Ondo State areas for nine hours each day (8am to 5pm) from July 1 to August 31, 2024.

“No direct notification/communication was made to the Ekiti State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) on this matter, nor was approval sought and obtained from the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EKSERB), saddled by law with the full authority to regulate the electricity industry in Ekiti State.

“The planned disruption of electricity for three-eighths of each day for sixty-two days, amounting to five hundred and fifty-eight hours (558) total and twenty-three days of outage in these two months amounts to an unacceptable economic, financial, and social price to be paid by the citizens of Ekiti State, and we totally reject such a plan.”

The commissioner asked for an “immediate suspension of the plan and called for an emergency meeting with the regional heads of TCN, BEDC, and NERC.

“The meeting is slated for Tuesday, July 2, in the commissioner’s office at the Government Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti.”

This is as he opined that the meeting will give room for a better alternative.

Aluko said, “The meeting would help all stakeholders devise an alternative and far less adverse plan to achieve the same stated aims.”

The TCN had announced that it planned “to carry out critical maintenance work on the 132KV Akure Osogbo transmission line and also install Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), among other activities.”

“We request prompt attention to this matter while we are eager to work collaboratively towards a sustainable solution that will benefit both citizens of the state and the Ekiti State Electricity Supply Industry. In the time being, accept our highest regards,” the letter stated.

“Customers in the affected areas will experience service interruptions during the period of the planned outages. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and kindly solicit your patience and understanding,” the TCN’s notice read.

Meanwhile, the scheduled downtime has been deemed unpleasant and discouraging by some Ekiti State electricity consumers.