TCN extends outage, dashes hopes of power restoration in Taraba

Hopes of restoring electricity supply to Jalingo and other parts of Taraba State on Tuesday have been dashed following the decision of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to extend the ongoing planned outage on the Yola–Mayo Belwa–Jalingo 132kV transmission line.

This development followed an announcement on Monday by TCN extending the earlier schedule for power restoration.

The company had last Friday announced that the outage, which commenced on Friday, January 9, 2026, would end on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

According to TCN, the outage was intended to enable line stringing works as well as the energising of a new 150MVA power transformer at the Jalingo Transmission Substation.

However, days after the state was plunged into a total blackout, residents’ expectations of power restoration have been further frustrated by the extension of the outage.

TCN explained that the extension became necessary because the stringing and remedial works on the transmission line could not be completed as earlier planned.

Reacting to the development, the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) said it is on standby to restore power supply immediately TCN confirms the completion of the repair works.

The distribution company appealed to customers for patience and understanding, assuring them of prompt restoration once the transmission line is handed back.

The company’s decision, as of the time of filing this report, has begun to cause concern among residents, particularly small-scale business operators who depend heavily on electricity for their livelihoods.

An ice fish seller in Jalingo told DAILY POST that she had planned to restock her cold room with a large supply of fish on Tuesday, but the extension of the outage had disrupted her plans.

“I had already instructed my supplier to bring enough fish for me. With this development, I am confused,” she lamented.

As of the time of filing this report, neither TCN nor the management of YEDC had indicated a definite date for the restoration of electricity supply to the state.