Project Management of Distribution Network Rehabilitation at Kano Electricity Distribution Company

This study examines the project management challenges and outcomes of the distribution network rehabilitation programme at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company in Kano State, North West Nigeria. KEDCO's distribution infrastructure, predominantly installed in the 1970s and 1980s, suffers from ageing transformers, overloaded feeders, deteriorated overhead line conductors, and inadequate protection systems, contributing to the high outage frequency and poor supply reliability experienced by customers across its service territory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 KEDCO project managers, engineering supervisors, and field engineers involved in the rehabilitation programme, supplemented by review of project documentation, expenditure records, and technical commissioning reports for 15 completed rehabilitation sub-projects. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative schedule and cost performance analysis. Results reveal that 11 of the 15 reviewed sub-projects experienced schedule delays averaging 47 percent beyond their planned duration, primarily attributable to contractor procurement delays, right-of-way land access disputes, and late materials delivery. Cost overruns averaging 28 percent were associated with unplanned scope additions and foreign exchange exposure on imported equipment. Technical quality of completed works was generally satisfactory where resident engineering supervision was maintained. The study identifies weaknesses in the project management office's scheduling discipline, contractor performance management, and community stakeholder engagement. Recommendations include adoption of earned value management for all future rehabilitation projects and establishment of a pre-qualified contractor register. Keywords: distribution rehabilitation, project management, KEDCO, network upgrade, Kano.