100 Transformers Arrive Onne Port

No fewer than 100 sets of transformers are presently awaiting port clearance at Onne Port near Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

These are part of the numerous transformers ordered early this year by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Port Harcourt Distribution Zone.

Disclosing this to The Tide, Mr. John Onyi, a public affairs officer with the company revealed that 200 other transformers of various sizes were also being expected from overseas.

Mr. Onyi said “according to the schedule obtained from the Port Harcourt Distribution Zone, some of these distribution transformers will be deployed to various locations where transformers have been faulty and also to upgrade/up-rate some with a view to serving the customers better”.

A statement from the principal manager, (public affairs), Port Harcourt Distribution Zone indicated further that the zone recently took delivery of 57 other sets of 33/11KV distribution transformers of various sizes ranging between 200KVA and 500KVA as well as 4×15 MVA power transformers.

The four power transformers, some of which, the statement said, have already been installed were specifically to improve power supply in Port Harcourt, Eket and Calabar.

Some residents of Port Harcourt, who spoke to The Tide view the acquisition of numerous transformers by PHCN as indication that the promise of PHCN to improve services could be real.

Residents of Woji Town in Port Harcourt, who have been experiencing supply difficulty since April when the 1×7.5MV 33/11KV transformer that served them became faulty heaved a sigh of relief and were shouting “Up PHCN” when they sighted engineers with one of the new transformers mounted at YKC junction to replace the bad one.

Mr. Jonas Godwins, a Port Harcourt-based electrical engineer noted that “with the effort of the Rivers State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and renewed determination of PHCN in providing more transformers to replace new ones and boost generation, obviously there is hope for improved electricity supply in the state”.

The management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company while commending members of the public for their patience, however, appealed for regular payment of electricity bills, and urged communities to step-up surveillance in their areas to check vandalisation of the company’s facilities.

Chris Oluoh