Blackout in Edo as TCN, BEDC trade blame

A part of Benin Metropolis has been thrown into total darkness and business activities crippled just as the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Benin region and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) have biker over who is responsible for load shedding of power supply.

While the BEDC had accused the TCN of been responsible for the loquacious power supply, the TCN has absorbed themselves of such blame saying the BEDC should own up to their failures.

The manager, (Public Affairs) of TCN, Elder Rufus Imafidon in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin Edo state capital chided BEDC for informing the people wrongly about the true cause of blackout experienced.

Elder Imafidon stated that contrary to the agreement reached two weeks ago between the management of TCN and those of the BEDC towards finding lasting solution to frequent complaints by consumers and the unbearable epileptic power supply in the state, the BEDC outrightly ignored the resolution that both Ikpoba Dam and Guinness Feeders should be tied to Ihonvbor 132/33KVA substations.

He explained that TCN has 2x60MVA transformers and six feeders already radiated in the two substations even as it was unanimously agreed at the meeting that 33KV Koko feeder from Benin should be tied to Oghara 132/33KV substation where the transmission form has 2x30MVA transformers.

In addition, BEDC can connect their customers to Okada 2x40MVA 132/33KV substation with an available six 33KV feeders respectively.

The TCN manager, Public Affairs further pointed out that, "It was agreed that when all these are done, customers in Benin and its environs would heave a sigh of relief and enjoy electricity supply to their areas".

He noted however "Yesterday (Tuesday) BEDC relocated only Guinness feeder while Ikpoba Dam  and zKoko Feeders are yet to be relocated to Ihonvbor and Oghara substations."

He added that "On Tuesday morning, BEDC went on air to inform the public that load shedding being experienced in Benin City was caused by TCN Benin"

The management of TCN therefore called on its BEDC counterpart to "do what is necessary" and  "to explore the available sources open to satisfy her customers and stop misinforming the public"