ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the country supplies electricity to neighboring nations such as Togo, Benin Republic and Niger Republic.
TCN’s Chief Executive Officer Sule Abdulaziz said, “We supply Togo, we supply Benin and Niger,” he said on the show.
“Yes, they get power from Nigeria on a 24-hour basis and they are paying,” TCN boss said.
Nigeria’s power sector has in the last week experienced a series of blackouts with the national grid collapsing thrice in seven days.
But Abdulaziz says some Nigerians are enjoying constant power supply especially those in Band.
“Nigerians are getting 24-hour supply; it’s not everybody. Those people that are in band A, you will see that they get 20 to 22 hours,” he said.
According to him, electricity distribution companies better known as DiScos prioritise those in Band A and are expected to supply them “between 18 hours and 22 hours” of electricity.
The incessant grid collapse has raised concerns among Nigerians who have questioned the handling of the country’s power sector.
However, the TCN chief blamed aged infrastructure for the frequent grid collapse but said a backup system is in the works.
“Presently, we are doing the scatter system for the whole network and it is funded by the World Bank, and the project will take two years to be completed, and now, we have done 70% of the project,” he said.
“Almost a month ago, we were at Gwagwalada (in Abuja) with the World Bank where we celebrated the project. It is 70 percent completed. Once we have the scatter system, it will reduce the frequency of getting system disturbances.”
Electricity Cheaper In Nigeria
Electricity tariffs have increased in recent months in Nigeria. In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) hiked the cost of electricity for customers under Band A – those who enjoy at least 20 hours of power supply.
That saw customers paying N225 kilowatt per hour from N66, triggering outrage from Nigerians in the wake of the floating of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidy.
But TCN said Nigerians enjoy lower electricity tariffs than some African countries.
“Nigerians are getting 24 hours supply (daily), it’s not everybody but those people on Band A, they get 20 to 22 hours. Nigerians are paying more because to produce electricity is not easy. You can see the exchange rate,” Abdulaziz said.
“Electricity is now expensive in Nigeria, we are feeling it is expensive because we are getting it at a cheaper price. If you go to other African countries, you go to Niger, you go to Burkina Faso, you go to Senegal, still, now, Nigeria is cheaper.”
