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Nigeria supplies 24-hour electricity to Togo, Benin says TCN boss

Sule Abdulaziz, the Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has disclosed that Nigeria provides continuous electricity to neighboring countries Togo and Benin, while many Nigerians continue to experience inconsistent power supply.

Abdulaziz made this statement during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Tonight program on Sunday. “We supply Togo, Benin, and Niger with power on a 24-hour basis, and they are paying for it,” he said.

His remarks come amid national discussions following a recent power grid failure. When asked why many Nigerians do not have access to uninterrupted electricity, Abdulaziz noted that some consumers do receive nearly full-time power. “While not everyone benefits, there are Nigerians getting 24-hour supply. Those classified in Band A receive 20-22 hours of electricity daily,” he clarified.

According to reports from PUNCH, electricity customers are categorized into bands: Band A enjoys 20-24 hours, Band B receives 16-20 hours, and Band C gets 12-16 hours of supply.

Despite the current challenges, Abdulaziz expressed hope for an improved nationwide power supply within five years. “I believe we can achieve consistent power supply in less than five years. The new minister is addressing the issues directly and not just making superficial changes,” he stated.

Abdulaziz also addressed system collapses, asserting that not all outages stem from TCN’s operations. “A system collapse doesn’t necessarily mean the issues originate from TCN; they can arise from generation, transmission, or distribution,” he explained.

He emphasized the differences between the former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and TCN today. “When we were NEPA, we managed generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing. Now, we focus solely on transmission,” he said.

Abdulaziz pointed to aging infrastructure as a major concern, noting that much of the equipment in use is outdated. “Most of our equipment is over 50 years old,” he remarked.

Regarding electricity costs, he argued that Nigeria’s rates are relatively affordable compared to other African nations. “We perceive it as expensive because we receive it at a lower price. When compared to countries like Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Niger, Nigeria’s electricity is cheaper,” he concluded.

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