07 April 2014, Kano — The daily power allocation to Kano, Katsina and JigawaStates has dropped from about 250 to 80 megawatts (MWs) thus compounding the problem of electricity in the three states, Weekly Trust has gathered.
Our correspondent reports that for about four weeks now, residents of the three states have been experiencing unprecedented epileptic power supply, a situation that has further exposed industries especially small scale companies, to danger.
Few months ago, the three states were sharing about 250 MWs, but the situation has deteriorated. The states are expected to get eight percent of the total mega watts generated daily nationwide, but now only about three percent is given to the states.
It was gathered that when the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) took over the Kano zone of the PHCN comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states in November 2013, the states were getting less than 60 MWs, but following the outcry, it was jerked up to 230 MWs.
Out of the present daily supply of 80 MWs, our correspondent gathered that Kano gets the highest share in view of the industries there, followed by Katsina and Jigawa states respectively.
The AGM, public affairs of the company, MallamMukhtarBaffaUsman, confirmed the drop in the power supply but said that the situation was not static.
“It is not static, the power supply is dynamic we are supposed to get 8 percent from the total generation but now we are getting 2.8 and 3 percent. It was as a result of obstruction in the supply of gas to Egbin power station and the closure of Shiroro hydro power station,” he said.
Meanwhile, the company has reacted to the report of six months blackout in Gwaram area of Jigawa state, saying it was as a result of the vandalisation of power lines in the area.
“Actually the line was vandalised and it will take some time to replace the items but the management has given go-ahead for the repair and work will commence soon. The customers should bear with us and they should also learn to be vigilant to avoid recurrence of the vandalism,” he said.
It is recalled that a member of the House of Representatives, Yusuf ShittuGalambi, has demanded for N1.5bn compensation from KEDCO over six months power outage in his Gwaram constituency.
– Daily Trust
