Fire guts foremost paint industry in Umuahia, 30MVA TCN transformer in Nkalagu

The head office of a foremost paint industry in Umuahia, Saclux Paint, Sunday was gutted by Fire.
In another development the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday lost another 30MVA 132/33kV power transformer to inferno at the Nkalagu transmission substation, Enugu. The company has started making frantic effort towards its restoration.

The inferno which started at about 1: 30 in the afternoon consumed goods and the company properties estimated at millions of naira.
Though the cause of inferno was yet to be ascertained, the men of the Abia State Fire service were seen battling to contain the fire incident when our correspondent visited the scene.

An eyewitness said the residents living around the Industry got to know of the inferno when they sighted tick smoke emanating from the industry.
She said they had join hands with some staff of the company to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings before the men of the fire service arrived.

A personnel of the state Fire service who not want to be named, said they raced down to scene to fight the fire, after receiving a distress call from the company staff.
He urged Abia residents to be careful with the way they handle inflammable material and always contact the fire service on time in the event of any fire outbreak.

In a statement signed by the GM Public Affairs, Mrs. Mbah, TCN said that the Old 30MVA power transformer which had already been earmarked for replacement in line with TCNs Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), was unfortunately gutted by fire.

Although the cause of the fire is still being investigated, TCN said that its engineers are already in the substation, working to quickly restore supply through the second 30MVA transformer in the substation.

The statement further noted that Nigerian Independent Power Project, (NIPP) is currently installing a new 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformer in the substation and TCN is in discussion with NIPP to fast track the installation to further boost the stations capacity.
TCN apologised for every inconvenience to electricity consumers in parts of Nsukka, Ihiamufu, Afikpo and Ezilo Water Works.
They further pledged to restore power supply to the affected areas in few days.

Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia, Myke Uzendu, Abuja