By Doris Onyekachi
Residents of Onitsha G.R.A. are set to enjoy improved electricity supply as FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has deployed a 2.5MVA transformer as an interim measure following the recent explosion of the 5MVA transformer serving the estate.
The intervention was announced during a strategic engagement between the company’s management and members of the Onitsha G.R.A. Landlords Association on June 27, where FirstPower reaffirmed its commitment to restoring stable power supply and strengthening the network against future disruptions.
The temporary transformer was redeployed from Nkwelle G.R.A. Housing Estate after the successful repair and reinstallation of its 5MVA transformer. According to the company, the interim installation will ensure continued electricity supply while the damaged transformer undergoes comprehensive repairs before being returned to service.
Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, apologised to residents for the inconvenience caused by the outage, assuring them that every effort was being made to restore reliable electricity to the estate as quickly as possible.
He explained that the transformer was damaged after its protection system was compromised when an auto-recloser was bypassed, leaving the equipment exposed to severe electrical faults, stressing the importance of protecting electricity infrastructure, calling on residents to partner with the company in safeguarding critical installations.
Okafor urged residents to regularly clear trees and overgrown vegetation around power lines, noting that effective vegetation management is essential to improving network reliability, reducing the risk of future outages.
Providing further technical details, the Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Dr. Emeka Egbujor, and the Head of Operations, Engr. Ifeoma Uba, disclosed that the upgraded installation would feature a dedicated control room, modern control panels, differential relay systems and other advanced protective equipment designed to improve the safety and reliability of the network.
They added that the company plans to replace the existing auto-recloser system with Ring Main Units (RMUs) at strategic locations to provide stronger network protection and minimise future faults.
Responding on behalf of residents, Chairman of the Onitsha G.R.A. Landlords Association, Chief Okwudili Otti, commended FirstPower for its swift response and sustained engagement with the community following the transformer failure.
Otti explained that investigations indicated the damage occurred after a tall palm tree fell onto the electricity network, pulling down a live high-tension line and causing extensive damage to the 5MVA transformer.
Both FirstPower and the landlords’ association reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration aimed at ensuring a more reliable and resilient electricity supply for the estate.
Doris Onyekachi is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
