Power Crisis: Edo, TCN Shift Blame, Demand Urgent Action as Supply Woes Persist
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Amid worsening electricity supply in Edo State, key players in Nigeria’s power sector have traded insights and subtle blame over the root causes of persistent outages, with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) insisting that transmission capacity is not the problem.
At the high-level stakeholders’ engagement held at Government House, Benin City, the TCN’s Benin Region according to a press release issued by the Edo State Ministry of Power and e-signed by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, on May 7, 2026, said inefficiencies in other segments of the power value chain, not transmission are largely responsible for the epileptic electricity supply affecting residents.
Speaking at the meeting, the General Manager, Benin Region, Engr. Charles C. Iwuamadi, maintained that TCN has continued to expand its capacity despite longstanding national generation constraints.
“While generation has hovered between 4,500MW and 5,000MW for over two decades, transmission capacity in Edo State and across the country is adequate and steadily improving,” Iwuamadi said.
He described TCN as “the critical link” responsible for transmitting bulk electricity from generation companies to distribution companies, stressing that the system is designed to ensure continuity of supply.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure upgrades, he pointed to projects such as the Ihovbor-Ajaokuta Transmission Line 1 and the turn-in-turn-out connection at the Irrua substation as key interventions to boost power delivery.
“These projects are strategically positioned to enhance bulk power transmission and improve supply reliability within the Benin axis and beyond,” he added.
However, Iwuamadi warned that vandalism and encroachment on transmission corridors are undermining these gains, calling for stronger collaboration with government and host communities.
“Our infrastructure is under constant threat. Vandalism and illegal encroachments are causing significant damage, sometimes requiring weeks to fix. We need urgent support to safeguard these national assets,” he said.
He also revealed that some suspects have been arrested by security agencies, including the DSS and NSCDC, but emphasized that enforcement must be intensified.
On operational efficiency, TCN reiterated its commitment to preventive maintenance, urging distribution companies to adopt similar standards.
“We maintain strict maintenance protocols to ensure optimal performance. Distribution companies must do the same to strengthen the overall power network,” he noted.
Further clarifying roles within the sector, the Assistant General Manager, System Operations, Engr. Patrick Amos, stated that TCN delivers all generated power to distribution companies, but does not control supply to end users.
“The responsibility for delivering electricity to consumers lies squarely with distribution companies,” Amos said.
The meeting brought together major stakeholders in the electricity value chain, including representatives of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Azura Power, GTL Power Ltd, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Meter Asset Providers, as well as civil society and community groups.
Participants agreed on the need for stronger coordination, infrastructure protection, and sustained investment to address the long-standing power challenges facing Edo State and the country at large.
