The nation’s jaded electricity grid suffered a total system collapse on Wednesday, plunging parts of the country into grim darkness, with telling effects on millions of households and businesses amid this year’s Eid-il-Fitr celebrations.
The New Diplomat reports that before the system collapse was recorded, there had been total blackout in parts of the country including Lagos, however, the nationwide darkness has worsened following this latest development.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the collapse in a statement by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah. She said: “The TCN hereby states that at about 11.01 a.m today, May, 12 ,2021, there was a total system collapse of the grid, as a result of voltage collapse at some parts of the grid.
“TCN commenced grid recovery immediately after the collapse, from Shiroro Generating Station to Katampe TS, Abuja through the Shiroro – Katampe line at 11:29 a.m and also through Delta Generating Station to Benin Transmission Substation and has reached Osogbo and parts of Lagos.”
Mbah, who stated that the collapse was being investigated said TCN is working “assiduously to ensure full restoration of the grid and consequently power supply to the remaining parts of the country.”
Also, two of the nation’s electricity distribution companies: Kaduna Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, have reached out to their customers through messages as the power grid collapsed around 11.00am Wednesday.
“We regret to inform you that the power outage currently being experienced across our franchise – Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states – is as a result of the collapse of the national grid,” Kaduna Electric wrote Twitter.
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, in a message to its customers, said, “Dear customer, there is a partial system collapse on the national grid. Our TCN partners are working to restore supply immediately. Please bear with us.”
It would be recalled the national grid had on February 17, experienced partial collapse leading to power outage in some parts of Nigeria. In 2020, the grid that has become epileptic for years, experienced multiple system collapse with debilitating effects on Nigerians during the Covid-19 lockdown in the country.
Following the current blackout, millions of Nigerians have expressed hope for a quick restoration of the electricity grid to transmit power to people’s homes.
Nigerians have been reacting to the system collapse as some customers believe that it is simply too devastating to families who wish to enjoy Eid-il-Fitr holidays in the comfort of their homes with loved ones.
