In an unexpected turn of events, Nigeria, the land of perpetual power surprises, marked a historic moment on Thursday. The nation’s highly-esteemed national grid decided to treat itself to a leisurely collapse, plunging millions into the delightful embrace of darkness.
Operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), based in the picturesque locale of Osogbo, Osun State, this stunning performance commenced in the wee hours of the morning, making sure everyone woke up to the sweet sound of silence.
Not to be outdone, Nigeria’s Distribution Companies enthusiastically confirmed this electrifying occurrence. They reported that most of their feeders, those pesky things responsible for delivering power, had decided to go on an unscheduled vacation.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) couldn’t contain its excitement and announced that a “total system collapse” had graced the country with its presence at 12:40 a.m. Clearly, Nigeria had just hit the jackpot of power instability!
As a result of this electrifying development, EEDC declared that all its TCN interface stations were now on a sabbatical, leaving folks in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States to enjoy a power vacation of their own.
Meanwhile, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) was eager to join the party and gleefully announced their own system collapse at 6:41 a.m. Clearly, synchronized power chaos was the theme of the day.
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) was not one to be left out and politely informed its cherished customers that the current power outage was a result of the national grid throwing a tantrum. They begged customers for patience as they awaited the grid’s apology.
Not wanting to miss the spotlight, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) also chimed in, attributing their power woes to the national grid’s early morning mood swing. Rest assured, they assured, that they were doing everything in their power to restore power, just as soon as the grid stopped sulking.
This spectacle comes hot on the heels of TCN’s boast that the national grid had enjoyed an unbroken streak of 400 days of operation without major disruptions. Clearly, the grid decided that 400 was a nice round number to take a breather.
In recent years, Nigeria’s power sector has faced minor inconveniences like policy enforcement challenges, regulatory uncertainties, gas supply hiccups, transmission system acrobatics, and some small issues with power sector planning. But who needs a stable power supply when you can have thrilling surprises instead?
In 2022 alone, the national grid apparently felt like treating Nigerians to a rollercoaster ride of eight collapses. It seems the grid takes its role as a source of constant entertainment very seriously.
And just to keep the suspense alive, the General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN, Ndidi Mbah, promised that soon, they would update the public about this thrilling development. Stay tuned for more shocking news, folks!
I enjoyed reading this, much needed satire as we get into the weekend