The Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Mr Olice Kemenanabo, has attributed the prolonged power outage in Yenagoa and its environs to a fatal motor accident that occurred around the Opolo area of the state capital penultimate week.
Two lives were lost in the incident after a vehicle crashed into an electric pole and damaged several others, resulting in the interruption of electricity supply to affected areas with consumers groaning.
Kemenanabo, who is also the chairman of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, explained this in a statement he signed and issued to journalists on Tuesday.
Expressing regret about the blackout, he said, “The current blackout in parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and environs, is a result of a vehicle that crashed into and damaged several electric poles in the Opolo area of Yenagoa.
“Two lives were reportedly lost due to the crash.
“The effect of the accident was a fault that cascaded into the 132/33kV Transmission Substation at Gbarain, with a heavy bang that caused an inferno and gutted the 33kv feeder switchgear, the protection and control systems and other sensitive electrical equipment.
“This huge damage has thrown the state into darkness, which is highly regrettable.”
Kemenanabo noted that the damaged transmission substation was not within the purview of the state, but Governor Douye Diri had directed the state Ministry of Power and the management of the BECL to interface with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, owners of the asset, and other related agencies to quickly evaluate the situation to restore supply as soon as possible.
The BECL boss urged residents to remain calm as the state was working with the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN and other relevant agencies to ensure the restoration of power supply to the affected areas.
He also called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any unscrupulous activity as vandals could take advantage of the situation.
“We shall continue to regularly update the state as we progress until power is fully restored”, Kemenanabo said.
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