Hassan A. Karofi
31 October 2007
Kano — Industrialists and residents of Kano have called on the Ministry of Energy to conduct a probe to ascertain reasons behind the inability of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN to restore regular supply to the city five months after the breakdown of the 150 megawatts transmitter in Kumbotso district.
PHCN has since February announced that one of its major transmitters situated in Kumbotso has failed. the transmitter is a 150 megawatts capacity facility that supplies most parts of Kano state and Jigawa and Katsina states.
Since it failure, many communities in the three states have been living without power supply.
An industrialist, Alhaji Ibrahim Sale told Business Trust in Kano, Monday that the situation is becoming worrisome, adding that since the transmitter broke down, many factories have folded up.
He said production is now becoming almost impossible in Kano due to the inability of PHCN to provide adequate power supply.
Business Trust investigations reveal that the transmitter which is supposed to provide power to Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states is yet to be fixed despite promises by PHCN.
The managing Director of Mentholatum and Raleigh, Alhaji Umar Mustapha said over 90% of the company's power demands is sourced privately and this, he said, is affecting its production.
"In Raleigh industry where we have heavy machinery that cannot use generators, we always suspend production until we can have light and this is seriously affecting our business," he said.
When our reporter visited the electricity project site at Kumbotso few technical workers were seen with most of the work almost abandoned.
Further investigations revealed that the problem might not be unconnected with the failure of the consultants to complete the work on schedule.
Public affairs manager of PHCN in kano, Alhaji Muntari Bappa Usman denied any sabotage in the project.
He said there were few technical hitches that would soon be rectified, adding that normalcy will soon be returned to areas affected by the power cuts.
"There is no sabotage by anybody and as far as we are aware, PHCN is working round the clock to ensure the completion of work on the transmitter, and we are hopeful that soon light will be restored," he assured
He said even with the present situation at the Kumbotso power station, PHCN has increased power supply especially to Kano.
"We have increased our distribution from less than 110 to about 140 megawatts now, and as a I am talking to you power supply has increased in Kano," he said
The Manager however called on Kano residents in Kano to be patient as the PHCN is working to ensure the restoration of power supply to Kano and the affected states.
"All I can say now is that we are working tirelessly to see that power supply is restored to the affected states, and I also want to add that we have increased out power distribution to 140 megawatts," he added.
But many residents believe that contrary to claims by the power company, electricity supply has not increased.
Alhaji Ibrahim Sale, an industrialist challenged PHCN to come out clearly and explain the true situation on the 150 megawatts transmitter and not continue to deceive the people of Kano.
"If they have increased the power supply where then is the light going to, I reside within Nassarawa layout and my factory is in Sharada, and I know there is no light, I think PHCN should be sincere to tell us what is happening in Kano," he said.
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