TCN Fails To Address Allegation Of Plunging Abia Into Indefinite Blackout

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has failed to address the allegation of unfair treatment towards an electricity distribution company, Aba Power, which has resulted in power outage for most areas in Abia State.

Residents in Abia State will spend the weekend in what seems to be indefinite darkness due to the faceoff between TCN and Aba Power. 

Prime Business Africa had reported earlier on Friday, April 21, 2023 that the Managing Director of Aba Power, Patrick Umeh, accused TCN of throwing most parts of Abia State into darkness over payment of statutory fees to federal government agencies. 

READ ALSO: BREAKING: TCN Plunges Abia Into Indefinite Blackout

Managing Director said TCN wrote to the company on Wednesday, 19 April 2023, to pay the sum of N869.21 million within 30 working days, but on the same day, TCN wrote to Market Operator to disconnect Aba Power from the national grid from Friday, 21 April 2023.

“I want to assume that there is no sinister motive, but a situation where a letter was written on April 19, delivered the next day to an electricity distribution company and then cut off power supplies to the distribution company within a couple of hours the same day over a debt of a whopping N896m is unprecedented.

“I am distressed by the fact that the action took effect on a public holiday which began a long weekend. 

“The persons who gave the directive could not respect the sensibilities of Muslims celebrating the Eid el Fitri feast, after 30 days of fasting,” Umeh said. 

Prime Business Africa wrote to the Transmission Company of Nigeria to enquire about the role Umeh alleged TCN played in the power outage in Abia State, however, TCN didn’t respond to the emails from Prime Business Africa and all four phone contacts belonging to TCN were switched off. 

Hours after Umeh accused TCN of throwing Abia residents into darkness, the Transmission Company of Nigeria is yet to publicly address the situation.