The Kebbi state government has appealed to residents of Birnin Kebbi and its environs to be patient as the total blackout being experienced would soon be over.

Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi governor, disclosed this in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

Mr Idris quoted the Secretary to Kebbi State Government (SSG), Yakubu Bala-Tafida, as making the plea when he visited the substationn of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Birnin Kebbi.

Recall that on September 14, one 90MVA (330KV/132KV) and a 60MVA (132KV/33KV) transformers were destroyed as a result of a fire incident. 

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

The SSG said the call became imperative in view of the lingering power outage being faced by the residents in the last ten days.

He said that he was at the scene on behalf of the governor, who instructed him to monitor the work, saying, “because he doesn’t want his people to remain in darkness.”

Mr Bala-Tafida assured that the governor was always in support of what would bring joy and happiness to his constituents.

The SSG, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, said the team of engineers had assured that their headquarters in Abuja had given them two weeks to fix the light.

“We came, we saw the level of efforts being put in place and we are satisfied.

“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,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs and Power, Kabiru Sani-Giant, lauded the engineers for their sense of commitment to the repair works.

He appealed to affected customers to be patient and consider what had happened as an act of God beyond people’s control. 

The governor’s aide advised the people to always switch off their appliances when not in use to minimise power wastage and possible fire outbreaks.

Mr Sani-Giant said: “We should borrow a leaf from our neighbours, Niger Republic, they have that discipline, 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 don’t need them.”

On possible damages during the restoration of power, the adviser promised that announcements would be made on the electronic media and other platforms for the residents to put off all appliances to avoid damages and safeguard their property. 

(NAN)