Kebbi appeals to residents, says blackout will be over soon

The Kebbi government has appealed to residents to exercise some patience, assuring that the blackout being experienced across the state will soon be over.

On September 14, a fire incident engulfed a 330 kilovolt (kV) facility at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) station in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi state.

The inferno had plunged Kebbi and Sokoto states, as well as some parts of Zamfara, into total darkness.

Yakubu Bala-Tafida, secretary to the  state government (SSG), gave the assurance to residents on Saturday when he visited the substation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Birnin-Kebbi.

The SSG said he visited the scene on behalf of the state governor who instructed him to monitor the work “because he does not want his people to remain in darkness”.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far in efforts to restore power to the state.

“We came, we saw the level of efforts being put in place and we are satisfied,” NAN quoted Bala-Tafida as saying.

“All we need from our people is prayers for them to do a good job and complete it within the stipulated period and we are hopeful that the work will be completed on schedule.”

Kabiru Sani-Giant, special adviser to the governor on political affairs and power, commended engineers for showing a high sense of commitment to the repair works.

He urged residents of the state to imbibe the culture of switching off appliances when not in use to minimise power wastage and possible fire outbreaks.

“We should borrow a leaf from our neighbours, Niger Republic. They have that discipline,” he said.

“They switch on bulbs when there is need for them unlike us Nigerians. We allow our bulbs on even during the day time when we do not need them.”