Between mid-May and now, four states have suffered varying degrees of electricity system collapse, leading to either partial or total blackout in the affected communities.
The states are Bayelsa, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Niamey in Niger Republic was also affected during the period under review.
The Federal Ministry of Power, in a document to explain the reason for the power failures in the affected states, said the country as of the end of May, generated 4,225 megawatts of electricity.
This indicates a drop of 293MW from the 4,518MW recorded in the preceding month.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said, “It should be stated that the loss of power supply to Bayelsa State on May 17, 2013 was caused by the collapse of a terminal tower following a severe tropical rainstorm.
“However, the ministry and its concerned agency, Transmission Company of Nigeria, promptly mobilised contractors, who commenced work and effectively restored one of the lines by the end of June 1, 2013. A permanent restoration of transmission is expected to be completed by the same contractor in about 40 days.”
The minister said the recent loss of power to some parts of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as Niamey in Niger Republic, was also as a result of rainstorm, leading to the collapse of three units of 330kV towers.
Nebo said due to the impact of the damage on the foundations of the affected towers, the timeline for the full restoration of supply to the affected areas was the end of June.