As Nigeria grapples with a worsening electricity crisis, especially at this heat period, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has significantly reduced electricity supply to the Aba Ring-fenced area by more than 50 percent.
According to Sahara Reporters, Sources close to Aba Power revealed that the reduction began last week, with supplies plummeting from 25 Megawatts to 10MW, leaving residents without any official explanation or apology.
Confirming the drastic reduction, Aba Power’s Managing Director, Patrick Umeh, acknowledged the situation during a telephone interview, citing his engagement in a critical meeting of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Amidst the power cuts, Chief Adolphus Udeigbo, President General of the Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association, stressed the urgent need for stability, asserting that Aba requires 100MW to meet its electricity demands.
“We have been complaining bitterly that the 25MW from the NDPHC is grossly inadequate, only to have it cut further at a time of acute heat and unprecedented economic crisis.
“It’s so painful that Aba people couldn’t watch some of the matches at the just-concluded Africa Nations Cup Competition in Cote d’Ivoire because of the meagre supplies,” Udeigbo lamented.
Expressing frustration, he highlighted the impact of insufficient power on daily life, including the inability to watch recent sports events due to inadequate supply.
Also, revelations surfaced regarding payments made by the Geometric Power group to the Federal Government for electricity supplies.
Aba-based legal consultant, Bob Chukwueke, underscored the anticipation for the commissioning of the 181MW Geometric Power plant to alleviate the city’s energy woes.
However, a TCN source disclosed that 15MW allocated to Aba was diverted to other regions to address the nationwide energy crisis, exacerbated by reduced gas supplies to power generation companies.
With hydro plants operating below capacity due to the dry season and aging transmission infrastructure, Nigeria’s electricity sector faces mounting challenges, leaving many in darkness and underscoring the urgent need for systemic improvements.
