Federal government has threatened to sanction a Chinese Company, CBEA of China, the manufacturer of the 150mva transformer that caught fire at Oshogbo Transmission Region, in Oshogbo, Osun State, should investigations show that the product was sub-standard.
Minister of power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who made this known in Oshogbo over the weekend while assessing the level of damage, said the measure was to serve as a deterrent to other manufacturers of fake and substandard products and equipment.
He also said that he had been reliably informed that the fire must have been caused by installation failure, which may be from the sub-standard coils used in the transformer.
He appealed to the communities that affected by the fire incident for understanding, assuring them that full electricity supply would soon be restored to their area.
He also used the occasion to commend the gallant efforts of the fire fighters, who were able to stop the fire from consuming other transformers located in the premises.
Responding, the general manager, transmission, Oshogbo Region, Engr. Vincent Aligwara, who took the minister and his entourage round the transmission, said investigation was still on-going, promising that soon the new 150mva transformer would be energised to replace the burnt one.
He informed that through the effort of his staff, about 50mw of power was lost instead of 150mw. He urged the minister to assist the region in the provision of funds for its activities.
Meanwhile, the minister was also at Ughelli in Delta state to inspect the transmission tower which collapsed as a result of a burning of a tanker on the highway.
As a result of that accident, two transmission towers were totally burnt, while 10 others were also damaged. The minister described the incident as “a catastrophe,” estimating the cost of repairs at about N1 billion.
