Rep Opposes Privatization Of TCN As Osinbajo Hints Of Unbundling

…As TCN Energizes New 150MVA 330/132/33kV Interbus Transformer

y Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Magaji Da’u Aliyu, has kicked against the privatization of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) even as proposal is in the offing for its unbundling

Speaking at a media interaction at his Birnin Kudu residence in Jigawa, he noted that the previously privatized Power Distribution Companies, (DISCOs) had not yielded the desired results.

OPTIMUM TIMES recalled that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had few days ago hinted that the TCN would be unbundled into at least two entities to enhance specialisation and efficiency.

The lawmaker, who represents Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also had interaction with members of his constituency after a long absence from the country.

Aliyu, said he was honoured to have been received warmly by his people on his return to the country after completing his PhD in Business Administration from the University of Scotland in the United Kingdom.

The lawmaker, who is making his third attempt at going to the Green Chambers of the National Assembly said “I’m against privatization for obvious reasons, we privatized distribution companies (DISCOs) you see what happened, we have to take it back now”.

According to him people are leaving witnesses, what is the impacts of the previous privatization especially to an ordinary people.

The law maker maintained that the national assembly will hold public hearing on the sector on the 22nd of this month to hear from the stakeholders and questions to be asked.

Commenting on the power failure in the country, the law maker noted that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) inherited poor and delapidated infrastructural facilities which is behind the existing problems.

“I’m not holding brief for Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), but the company inherited very poor operational facilities. Their (TCN) network could not be accessible until recently because of banditry”.

Aliyu expressed confident that the ruling APC would win the forthcoming general elections in Jigawa state and the country.

According to him, “We feel we are doing our best, both our party the APC through the execution of its viable developmental policies and programmes at all levels.”

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully installed and energized a new 150MVA 330/132/33kV Interbus Transformer (IBTR) at Delta IV Transmission Substation, Ughelli, Delta State at about 13:09Hrs on Sunday 16th October, 2022 and loaded at 15:19Hrs on Monday, 17th October 2022.

The commissioning into service of the new 150MVA power transformer has restored the capacity of the substation by 132MW and TCN is now able to evacuate/wheel more power for Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to offtake from the substation for onward delivery to electricity consumers in Ughelli, Warri, and its environs.

The installation of the new 150MVA Interbus Transformer has restored flexibility to the substation by enabling TCN to evacuate power from Transcorp Power Limited at both at 330kV and 132kV voltage levels. This means an increase in bulk power transmitted through the substation and improved grid stability.

TCN assures Nigerians of her avowed commitment to enhancing bulk power delivery and grid reliability and pledges that it would continue to execute projects geared towards entrenching a robust transmission grid as catalogued in its Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP).