TCN to overhaul transmission stations

From Femi Oyeola, Kaduna

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has unveiled plans to overhaul all transmission stations across the country in order to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the company, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim disclosed this during on ground assets tour of facilities at the Kaduna Transmission Station, Mando.

Alhaji Waziri who was represented by a member of the board, Professor Peter Akper SAN, said the purpose of the tour is to take online record of the company equipment in Kaduna axis in order to overhaul those which need overhaul.

He added that it was important because it was a directive and part of the President Goodluck Jonathan electricity transformation program.

He warned staff of the company that it is not business as usual because staff will be retained based on their productivity.

“Your continuous stay with us as staff depends on your productivity and seriousness. If you breach any of these two, you stand the risk of being disengaged, but if you adapt to those two rules, I assure you

that better pay and better condition of service awaits you.”

In his own welcome remark the general manager Mando Transmission Station, Engineer John Obajulu said the station has improved in his power of transmission with 202 megawatts to Kano, 200 megawatts to Jos and 261 to Kaduna, a feat that looks impossible some two or three years ago.

Engineer Obajulu however stated that the major problem facing the Mando station is that of insecurity, as the station is surrounded by wire which can be cut by anybody.

“Putting into cognizance the general insecurity in this part of the country, it is advisable that the board approve the concrete fencing of the Mando substation. We also want you to put into consideration the problem of training and retraining of our staff in order to be up to date on the equipment that we are working with.

“The Mando station was built some 45 years ago and some of the companies that supplied the parts are no more in existence and we have to do with what we can lay our hands on in the new company. In order to find ourselves in a confused state, we pray that the new TCN board approve the training and retraining of our staff.

“We also want the board to put into consideration the building of store depot in Kaduna axis. Today we have to travel to Lagos for every spare part we need and it is more economical and time saving if those spare parts are moved into a store here in Kaduna,” he said.