Recurring blackout and incessant shutdown of the national grid among others led to the dismissal of Mr Usman Mohammed as the Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Political Economist can report.

Ministry sources said the minister was tired of the excuses from the TCN over multiple national grid shutdowns which officials of TCN attributed to shortage of gas in most cases. There were several grid collapse last year. The national grid experienced its first collapse for 2020 on Thursday, 16 January, leading to blackouts across the country.

The minister was said to have been miffed by what a source described as the lack of capacity to deliver on its mandate by the sacked managing director.  Also listed as one the reasons was the lack of cordial relationship between the TCN management and its staff on one hand; and between the TCN and the gas suppliers on the other.

“Several times, the minister had voiced his displeasure with TCN leadership over poor power supply and has consistently frowned at the attitude of TCN leadership whenever crisis arose. I guess all this led to his sack,” the source said.

Recall that the Minister of Power, Mr Mamman Sale, on Tuesday announced the dismissal of Mr Usman Mohammed, as the Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) with immediate effect.

Sale, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr Aaron Atimas, in Abuja, said it was part of the continued measures to reposition and improve performance of the nation’s power sector. The minister has demanded optimum performance from the new team.

The minister also announced other major changes at the TCN, including the appointment of Mr Sule Abdulaziz, as his replacement in acting capacity.

Sale also confirmed the appointment of four directors who have been on acting position in the company.

They are: Mr Victor Adewumi as Executive Director, Transmission Services Provider; Mr M Lawal, Executive Director, Independent Systems Operator; Mr Ahmed lsa-Dutse, Executive Director, Finance & Accounts; and Mr Justin Dodo, Executive Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services.

The minister said that all the changes/appointments had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.