The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced planned power outages in certain areas this weekend to allow for maintenance work on its transmission equipment.

According to a statement by the General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the exercise is aimed at ensuring better service delivery.

On Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Gwagwalada and nearby communities will experience a temporary power outage. This is to allow engineers to perform maintenance on a 60MVA transformer and related switchgear at the Gwagwalada Transmission Substation.

Similarly, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, power will be interrupted in several areas, including Wuye, EFCC, Federal Medical Centre, Coca-Cola, Idu Railway Station, Citec, and Life Camp. The outage will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as engineers carry out work on another 60MVA transformer at the Kukwaba Transmission Substation.

In the statement, TCN apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outages and sought the understanding of affected customers. It emphasized the importance of the maintenance work to ensure the power equipment functions optimally. “TCN apologizes for the inconvenience this may cause, especially during the end-of-year season. However, it is important that maintenance is carried out as scheduled for optimal performance of power equipment,” the statement read.

* As train is delayed, NRC officials demand tickets

By Emmanuel Agaji

The much publicised tree train ride for passengers travelling to different destinations along the Itakpe/ Warri route may be a hoax as officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) at Itakpe, Kogi State, demand e-tickets and other evidence of payment for the trip.

Naojablitznews observed that upon arrival at the train station, travellers are accosted by the train operators to show their tickets to confirm their booking for the ride.

When a passenger shows his ticket, he is allowed to move into the Departure Lounge while those who had arrived on the assumption that the train ride was free are shoved aside , told to write down their names on a sheet of paper and stay under a canopy until those who paid for the trip have been allocated seats on the train.

The Federal Government had, a few days ago announced that Nigerians will enjoy free train rides during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The government also announced that transportation by road would be subsidised up to fifty per cent. However, these promises appear to have been mere propaganda.

The situation has left many travellers confused and stranded especially as
the train which ought to take off from Itakpe at t 2 pm on Saturday has not shown up at the station as at 3.16 pm.

Hundreds of passengers are currently stranded and waiting under the scorching heat of the sun as officials continue their discriminatory admission of passengers into the Departure Lounge.

There are fears that the train may not hit the station until about 4 pm and many passengers may not have space on it because of the perceived underhand dealings by the train officials.

While the officials of the Itakpe Train Station continue to plead for understanding over the delay of the train, their emphasis has been on how to cater for those who booked online for the trip and very little or no emphasis is made to reassure those who came for the free ride announced by the Federal Government that they were at the right place.

More details later

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has expressed profound shock and sadness over the recent passing of two retired senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force [NPF].

Egbetokun’s message was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, announcing that the retired Deputy Inspector-General Moses Ambakina Jitoboh and retired Assistant Inspector-General Pastor Bola Longe, have both passed away.

Adejobi stated that Jitoboh, who previously served as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the Department of Information & Communications Technology (ICT) at Force Headquarters, died in a brief illness early on Friday, December 27, 2024.

He added that Pastor Bola Longe, formerly the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Federal Operations at Force Headquarters Abuja, and previously the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, passed on Sunday, December 22, 2024.

“Their contributions to the Nigeria Police Force, dedication to service, and integrity will never be forgotten,” Egbetokun stated.

“The passing of these officers is a great loss, not only to their families but to the entire Nigeria Police Force.”

Extending his condolences on behalf of all officers of the Nigeria Police Force, IGP Egbetokun offered prayers and solace to the families, friends, and colleagues of the late officers, wishing them strength during this difficult time.

“May their souls rest in peace,” he stated.