A labour dispute between the management of Afam IV Gas Power Station and the National Union of Electricity Employees has disrupted electricity supply to parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and its environs. The Transmission Company of Nigeria disclosed this in a statement, adding that the disruption began on Monday, September 28, 2026. The incident affected the transmission of electricity to parts of Port Harcourt and neighbouring communities.
The dispute led to members of the state’s NUEE chapter opening the Afam–Alaoji 330-kilovolt Transmission Line 2 at the Alaoji 330kV Transmission Substation. This action caused the 150-megavolt-ampere 330/132kV inter-bus transformer at Afam IV to trip, disrupting bulk electricity transmission through the affected facilities. The affected infrastructure included the Port Harcourt Town 132kV Transmission Substation, Elelenwo 132kV Transmission Substation and the 60MVA 132/33kV transformer at the Port Harcourt Mains 132kV Transmission Substation.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria said it was engaging relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Independent System Operator, to restore the affected facilities once conditions permitted safe restoration. The company apologised to consumers for the disruption and said it would continue to provide updates as the situation developed. The development comes amid the operational challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity supply chain.
Disruptions at generation plants or transmission facilities can affect power delivery to distribution companies and end users. TCN is responsible for transmitting bulk electricity from generation stations to distribution networks, while NISO coordinates the operation of the national electricity grid. The incident highlights how labour disputes affecting critical power infrastructure can interrupt electricity supply to communities and businesses that depend on the national grid.
The disruption is a setback for the region, which likely relies heavily on a stable electricity supply for daily activities. The incident may have implications for businesses, households, and essential services in the affected areas.
TCN’s efforts to restore the affected facilities are ongoing, with the company working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. The situation remains under close monitoring, with updates expected to be provided as more information becomes available.
The labour dispute is one of several challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, which has struggled with issues of reliability and efficiency. The incident underscores the need for sustainable solutions to address the underlying issues affecting the sector.
Key points
- The labour dispute disrupted electricity supply to parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
- The incident affected the transmission of electricity to parts of Port Harcourt and neighbouring communities.
- TCN is working to restore the affected facilities as soon as conditions permit safe restoration.
