KEDCO apologises as power supply worsens in Kano

Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has apologised to Kano residents and other areas of operations for poor supply of electricity.

KEDCO’s Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Ibrahim Shawai, in a statement issued on Tuesday, attributed the blackout to reduced load allocation from the national grid.

Shawai said: “The situation is as a result of reduced load allocation to our coverage areas from the generation companies.”

“At the moment, about 140MW is what we get as our allocation which is grossly lower than the average 368MW allocation during optimal generation period.”

He added that the instability of distributing the power was not KEDCO’s fault, noting that ” the persistent instability in electricity supply in our coverage areas is something that KEDCO is aware of, but not a fault from the Kano Distribution Company.”

While acknowledging the problem, Shawai assured the residents that the company would equitably distribute the little received allocation.

Meanwhile, households and businesses in Kano continue to bear the brunt of the near-total blackout with varying degrees of suffering and loss.

A Kano resident, Kabiru Isa told The Star that the low supply of electricity remains a great challenge to him.

Isa said: “It’s quite challenging. The poor electricity supply is one sad reality we’re living with. You can’t sleep comfortably at night unless you have an alternative power. Cold water and other household goods that need preservation are beyond my reach.”

Another resident, Usman Saleh, whose internet Cafe and business centre need steady electricity lamented that “whatever I make actually is being shared with filling stations due to near absence of electricity and at the end of the month, you are expected to pay because they send in a bill.

“I operate my shop now with extreme care because of power issue. My gains are being depleted by fuel. And the fuel too is expensive. May God see us through,” Saleh said.

The Star

Aminu Adamu Naganye