TCN reconnects Kaduna, Kano DisCos

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it will reconnect the three Distribution Companies earlier disconnected from the national grid for non compliance with market rules.

It was reported that Kano DisCo, Kaduna Electric and APLE Electric were disconnected by the TCN, a situation which left customers in their franchise areas in total darkness for days.

Mr Edmund Eje, Market Operator, TCN in a statement in Abuja on Sunday said that the DisCos would be reconnected by midnight on May 1, following the intervention of the Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu.

He said that the TCN agreed to restore power supply to the DisCos in view of the collateral consequences on paying customers.

Eje however said that the disconnected defaulting market participants have only 60 days within which to honour their obligations to the market operator.

”The intervention by the minister has automatically prolonged the grace period to 60 days from this publication.

“All market defaulters should comply with the provisions of the market rules with respect to payment of their outstanding invoices.

“Posting of adequate bank guarantees, and forwarding of their active Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) as the case may be, to the market operator/TCN,” he said.

According to him, other defaulters yet to be disconnected should also do the needful within 60 days.

He said that at the expiration of the grace period, the TCN will resume sanctions in line with the market rules.

“The MO/TCN is hereby urging the erring DisCos to seize this opportunity to fix their defaults as we applaud the intervention of the minister of power,” he added.