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AEDC

Abuja, others to enjoy uninterrupted power for 11 days – AEDC

by Folarin Kehinde February 13, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has said that electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring franchise areas will begin to enjoy full power supply in the next 11 days.

It said the ongoing restoration efforts by Transmission Company of Nigeria on the underground transmission line that was damaged by vandals near Millennium Park in Abuja will be completed by February 23.

The firm, in a power supply update posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, said it received this assurance from the transmission company and sought understanding from affected residents.

The post read, “Dear valued customers. We regret the continued power supply disruption affecting Wuye, Utako, Jabi, Mabushi, Katampe Districts, Life Camp, Wuse Zones 1-7, Wuse 2, Maitama, parts of the Central Business District and surrounding areas.

“This is due to the vandalisation of the 132kV Katampe – Central Area underground transmission cable.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria has assured us that restoration efforts are actively ongoing, with its engineers working day and night to replace and reconnect the damaged cable.

“TCN has committed to complete the work and restore normal power supply to Central Area Transmission Substation (AT5) on February 23, 2025.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause you and sincerely appreciate your patience.

“While repair work continues, load management will be implemented to optimise available supply. We remain in close collaboration with TCN to ensure a swift resolution and the full restoration of power to the affected areas.”

Meanwhile, no fewer than 188 locations franchised within the FCT, operating under the AEDC, endured widespread power outages and blackouts caused by various technical faults to its feeders in two months.

These disruptions significantly impacted the power supply to numerous areas and businesses occurred between January 1 and February 11, 2025.

This was disclosed in 26 public notices posted on the AEDC official X handle to inform its customers about power outages and disruptions analysed by our correspondent on Wednesday.

The company attributed these power cuts to various technical faults on the feeder serving these areas despite collecting revenue worth N229.39bn within the first 11 months of 2024 for electricity usage.

This figure is separate from other disruptions that occurred due to the maintenance of the stations owned by the TCN and the relocation of the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers.

A breakdown showed that on January 4, 2025, the disco announced the first power outage for the year, affecting customers at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and its environs.

On January 5, customers in Agwan Koro, Madalla, Police Estate, Efab Estate Dakwa, FHA Zuba, Dakwa, Anagada Tungamaje Part of DeiDei, Jiwa and its environs suffered a power outage due to a technical fault on the feeder serving these areas.

Similarly, customers in Garki Area 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and part of Durumi Area 1, Diplomatic Drive, National Hospital, The Dome, Russian Embassy, Equatorial Guinea Embassy, UN, World Trade Center, ICPC, Church Gate and its environs suffered a prolonged power outage on January 6, due to a technical fault on the feeder serving the areas.

Furthermore, customers in Bolingo Hotel, Cool FM, Entire Kubwa, FCDA, Kubwa Extension Ill Army Scheme, Kubwa village, Papal Ground, part of Karasana, Berger camp, Gado Nasko Road and its environs suffered a power outage on January 18, affecting businesses and residents.

On January 30, 2025, the power supply was disrupted in Banex Plaza and surrounding areas.

The latest incident occurred on February 11, 2025, affecting consumers living at Army Barracks, Water Works, Masuga Kontagora and surrounding areas.

The AEDC further noted, “Our dedicated technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible.

“We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appeal for your patience.”

February 13, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

16-day black-out begins in FCT Abuja today

by Folarin Kehinde January 6, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The 16-day load shedding for some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced from today 6th of January 2024 as announced by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Recall that AEDC had announced the power interruption in parts of its franchise areas that will last until January 21.

It was gathered that the load shedding was as a result of the relocation of the 33 KiloVolt (KV) DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

AEDC listed areas to be affected during the period to include Lugbe and environs, Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church.

“Other areas are American International School, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC headquarters, Coca Cola, Railway, Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

”Parts of Apo, Parts of Gudu, Gbazango and environs, Parts of Kubwa, Bwari and environs, Parts of Jahi, Parts of Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi and environs, and other parts of Abuja.

”We are working round the clock to reduce downtime as much as possible, and regret any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the rationing of power supply as announced by AEDC.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’S General Manager, Public Affairs made the confirmation in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Mbah confirmed that the rationing would be due to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)’s road dualisation project along the Apo axis.

She said that eight number of 132 Kilovolt (kV) and 33kV towers would be relocated along the Kukwaba/Apo 132kV line (Outer Southern Expressway route).

Mbah confirmed the areas to be affected to include Kubwa, Karu, Maraba, Nyanya, Masaka, Keffi, Kukwaba, and Apo Mechanic.

According to her, the power rationing will also affect parts of Lugbe, Trademore Estate, Pyakasa, Sabon Lugbe Chika and Alaita axis.

“This relocation work will necessitate a planned power outage from 6th to 20th January from 9am to 4pm daily, which is the estimated duration for the dismantling and construction of the towers.

“It will also allow for the restringing of the power cables that will enable resumption of bulk power supply to the Apo Transmission Substation from Gwagwalada Substation.

“While the relocation of the transmission towers is a necessity for the road completion project, TCN apologises for the inconvenience this planned power outage will cause,” she said.

Mbah assured customers that power supply would be restored as soon as the towers relocation and cable stringing were completed.

January 6, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Blackout Looms In Abuja Over Relocation Of Electricity Installations

by Folarin Kehinde January 3, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says there will be power disruptions in some parts of Abuja due to relocation of the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway.

A statement on its official X handle said the operation would occur from January 6 to 31.

The statement read: “Please be informed that there will be power interruptions from January 6-21, 2025, due to FCDA relocating the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway.”

It said the areas that will experience outages during the period include: Lugbe & environs, Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church, American International School, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC HQ, Coca Cola, Railway, FMC, Parts of Apo.

Others are parts of Gudu, Gbazango & environs, Parts of Kubwa, Bwari & environs, Parts of Jahi, Parts of Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi & environs, and other parts of Abuja.

January 3, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

AEDC Abuja office shut over unsettled demands

by Folarin Kehinde November 27, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

Electricity workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), partially shut down operations at the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Wednesday following management’s failure to meet their demands.

The union had earlier instructed members to shut down all AEDC offices in response to the company’s inability to address the workers’ grievances.

A notice issued by the union stated, “We have reached the end of our ultimatum to the AEDC management regarding our unsettled demands. Please ensure all offices are locked down and secured until our demands are met.”

The strike was triggered by management’s failure to resolve issues, including worker casualisation and unpaid wages.

Protesters blocked the entrance to the AEDC headquarters, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with messages like “No to casualisation” and “We demand payment of 15 months’ salaries and pension.”

However, the confrontation was short-lived. AEDC’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Adefisayo Akinsaya, downplayed the issue, stating it was a minor concern that had been resolved.

The Chief Technical Officer of AEDC and the NUEE Chairman confirmed that the strike had been called off after an agreement was reached earlier in the day.

November 27, 2024 0 comments

General General

Meet Mr. Fadeyibi “The Hitman from Transcorp Power Ltd” Doing the ruthless bidding of UBA Bank in AEDC

by Leading Reporters April 13, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Electricity consumers from the Federal Capital Territory; Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi States are in for rough times owing to a ruthless revenue drive being spearheaded by Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, on behalf of United Bank for Africa, UBA.

UBA is a major creditor to AEDC. Technically, UBA owns the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC as it stands now. This followed several loan defaults by the electricity distribution company via its UBA Account No. 1019269503.

An insider source said that Tony Elumelu routed for Fadeyibi after the later set up structures in Eko Electricity Distribution Company EKDC that saw revenue skyrocketing and operational costs and losses down. Fadeyi’s feat in Elumelu’s Transcorp Power Ltd, Ugbelli where he ramped up power generation of the company from its abysmal 164MW to 634MW within interval of 25 months was too glaring to be overlooked and needs to be replicated in AEDC, by Tony Elumelu’s estimates.

Other accounts the company maintains with UBA include AEDC Impress Funding Account No. 22174094498. This account has become a conduit through which billions of Naira were fleeced under the subheading – Operational impress. For instance, between October and December, 2018, a total of N1,579,015,000 was mopped into the account as imprest. UBA Account No 10176666012 is believed to be another suspicious account with which the erstwhile management of AEDC carried out their acts.

Other AEDC accounts with UBA include account no. 1019034680. This account, according to investigation was used to sweep funds which were later diverted to yet another UBA account No 1017547366.

Another interesting activity uncovered is a UBA Account No.1017681365, allotted to AEDC WAMBA, Nasarawa State. The account is shrouded in secrecy and may have been used as a veritable conduit for diversion of funds. AEDC Okene Area Office with UBA account numbers 1021027984 and 1017805387 are two of the many accounts of AEDC that were structured to be leveraged to soothe the stealing appetite of the erstwhile management of AEDC.

According to a discreet source, the former management played a conscious, pre-meditated role that paved way for UBA acquisition of AEDC.

Kabba AEDC Account No 1017805387 was another porous and specially structured account allegedly used in fleecing the Federal Government.

Mr. Fadeyibi prior to being drafted to AEDC by Tony Elumelu-led UBA worked as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Power Limited, Ugbelli. The company is owned by Tony Elumelu. Mr Fadeyibi career path has as well cut across Eko Electricity Distribution Company where he was the MD/CEC as well as General Electricity.

A discreet source who spoke to LeadingReporters on condition of anonymity said that Mr Fadeyibi is on a mission. A ruthless mission to bend all known rules in the bank’s bid to recover all the monies and loans AEDC owns UBA.

“His mission from his paymaster is clear – Bend all rules, squeeze all sources and get us all the money. Unfortunately, the consumers are the ones to be squeezed in a sector where regulators are in the pockets of the players. It is a pathetic situation”.

The electricity consumers with the capital territory and its neighboring states are in for a hard and sad time as the move by UBA would see them paying for more and getting less in terms of quality service.

“Money, revenue, more revenue and more profits are now the drive force in AEDC”

“The former guys were hired to play the role they played that paved way for UBA to take over AEDC. AEDC is one of the electricity distribution companies that has proved to be viable. UBA management has been eyeing the company and incessant loan was the best way to dive in”.

UBA continued to avail its loan spree to AEDC, targeting that a time would come when AEDC would not be able to meet its financial obligation to the bank, thereby paving way for outright ownership.

“Tony Elumelu understands the viability of AEDC, being someone whose company Transcorp Power Limited is a player in the power sector”. The source said.

April 13, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Abuja will Experience Another Round of Power Outage – AEDC

by Folarin Kehinde March 28, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Many residents of Abuja will experience power outage on Sunday, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had said.

The electricity company said on Friday in a post on Facebook that the blackout will be due to maintenance being carried by the Transmission Company of Nigeria on the 60 MVA 132/33KV TR1 transformer at the Kukwaba transmission station in the federal capital.

The outage will interrupt power supply to Galadimawa village, Amsco Estate, Sunnyvale Estate, Kabusa Garden Estate, Bedwe village, Machido Estate, Trademore Estate, Apo Estate, Aso Estate.

Also, residents of Sabo Lugbe, Pyaekasa village, Chika village, Lugbe across, Games Village, National Stadium, Indoor Complex, Tulsi Chanrai eye clinic and environs will be affected by the outage.

Poor power supply remains a major problem for many Nigerian homes and businesses.

The national grid has collapsed twice in the last three months, leaving cities in darkness. The government’s pledge to improve supply has not materialised over years.

The government said the recent failure was caused by gas problems triggered by sabotage of supply lines.

March 28, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Breaking: UBA Plc takes over ownership of AEDC

by Folarin Kehinde December 8, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

UBA PLc is now the owner of the Abuja Electricity Distribution following the failure of the majority owners, the KANN Consortium to service their debt.

It was the UBA that sacked the management as it assumed control, not President Muhammadu Buhari as widely reported on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Power made the clarification in a statement today.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Power has been drawn to publications in the print and electronic media relating to recent changes in the ownership structure and management at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company PIc (“AEDC”).

“While noting that the news has largely been communicated out of context, the Ministry wishes to notify all stakeholders that the AEDC has, of recent, been facing significant operational challenges arising from a dispute between the core investors (KANN consortium) as owners of 60% equity in AEDC and the UBA as lenders for the acquisition for the majority shareholding in the public utility.

“The situation has currently deteriorated due to lack of access to intervention finances leading to a point whereby legitimate entitlements of the staff are being owed thus leading to service disruptions on 6th December 2021 within its franchise area.

The Federal Ministry of Power has since taken the initiative to engage organised labour and electricity service has since been restored in the FT and the states served by AEDC.

“The UBA, as a lender, and in exercising its rights over the shares of KANN Consortium in AEDC, has taken over the shares of the obligor in the AEDC. This takeover of the majority stake in AEDC by UBA has consequently led to the reported changes in the
management of AEDC.

“The changes in shareholding in AEDC and the appointment
of an interim management for AEDC by the shareholders has been endorsed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (the industry regulator) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (“BPE” as co-shareholders in AEDC).

“The Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, wishes to reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Power for working with all stakeholders to ensure service continuity in all areas served by the AEDC”.

Many reports yesterday said it was President Buhari who asked the Bureau of Public Enterprises to sack AEDC management and appoint a new one.

December 8, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

FCT Residents to AEDC: We can’t keep paying for Darkness, Lacking other Amenities

by Leading Reporters June 21, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

Residents of Gbaukuchi and Gubausabo communities in Kuje Area Council say the lack of electricity and water supply in their communities was slowing down development.

Some of the residents who spoke with the journalists said the community had been without electricity for years.

Gbaukuchi and Gubausabo are communities along airport roads with street lights just at the entrance of the community but no power supply within.

Helen Samuel, a resident of Gbaukuchi said there had never been any form of social amenity in the community since she had been residing there for over 15 years.

She regretted that politicians would always go to the community for campaigns and promise better days for the residents but never fulfilled any of the promises.

“During election, candidates of political parties will always promise to provide us basic amenities, when we vote for them to win, they will never come back.

“We do not have health facilities, no clinic, chemist, not to mention a hospital or secondary school in our community.

“The road is inaccessible owing to no bridge; during rainy season the river rises, which makes access to nearby communities difficult, resulting in loss of lives in the process.

“The inability to construct the bridge has also prevented small investors from doing business in our community, thereby making us suffer unduly.

“Construction of a bridge is needed urgently, as well as hospital, junior and senior secondary schools, to avoid children crossing the river to attend schools in nearby Ketti community.

Another resident, Mrs. Laraba Yakubu, said although a primary health care centre was provided in 2016, after years of agitation, “they are not maintaining it and no doctor to attend to patients”.

“Our people are dying of waist pain, chest pain and eye issues; we need medical personnel in our community, to help reduce death of residents.

“We carry sick people to Ketti General Hospital when the condition is critical, hence the need for a hospital, to ensure the safety of pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies in Gbaukuchi,” Yakubu said.

“I gave birth to my children at home because I cannot afford hospital fees, says Mrs. Grace Alex, a resident of Gubuasabo.

According to Alex, Gubausabo is a small community that lacks everything, not even a market for petty trading.

”If the Kuje Area Council can establish a market for residents of the community it will help people engage in trading and ease poverty and suffering.

In the same vein, residents of Gishiri and Kasablanca communities of Nicon area of Abuja, also solicited government’s intervention in the provision of a health centre.

Some of the residents also called for the provision of mosquito nets and proper knowledge of its usage.

Hajiya Medina, a resident of Gishiri, said she bought mosquito net from the market, adding that her family had formed the habit of using it at all times.

”My experience has been wonderful because it protects my family against mosquitoes.

”My family members hardly fall sick because we use it every night and it has helped me to save money from not buying malaria drugs and hospital expenses.

”Some people in my community don’t have knowledge of how the mosquito networks, that is why I think we need sensitization.

”We also need a health center that can provide us with mosquito nets and health education,” she added.

”Most people, who live here are poor and can’t afford money to buy mosquito nets, especially the pregnant women and they also need enlightenment on proper usage,” Isah Gishiri another resident said.

According to Gishiri, I have one which i have been using for years, i cannot afford another one now, that is why we solicit assistance.

”I am sure mine would have expired that is why it is not as effective as before.

June 21, 2021 0 comments

Investigation

Revealed: How AEDC Spent Over N16b In a day On Admin. Expenses; Allegedly Evade Tax and Use Inflated Costs to Shortchange FG (Part 1)

by Leading Reporters March 30, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

Financial records unveiled by the League of Patriot, exclusively obtained by LeadingReporters, has alleged that AEDC uses different accounts, mainly domiciled with the United Bank of Africa, UBA and recently, Fidelity Bank to perpetrate these nefarious acts.

The accounts include AEDC Impress Funding Account with UBA. Account No. 22174094498. This account has become a conduit through which Billions of Naira are fleeced under the subheading – Operational imprest. For instance, between October and December, 2018, a total of N1,579,015,000 was mopped into the account as impress.

It was John Perkins, the author of “Confession of An Economic Hitman” who said that electricity, industrial parks, highways and ports are the things that made huge profits for companies that are sent to wreak havocs on the economies of target-nations.

Perkins’s confession in his widely-read book gives a clue to why Nigerians, the Federal Government and electricity consumers would remain at the mercy of companies like Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC. Mr. Perkins went further to expose how they coopt local greedy economic jackals in government offices, the banking and other strategic sectors in any country of their interest to ensure that their appetite to ruin and hold the people in perpetual poverty are sealed.

AEDC activities, according to investigation carried out by group of concerned Nigerians under the umbrella of League of Patriots revealed that the company is structured to fleece Nigeria, exploit the people, defraud the system, evade tax and by extension divert all the proceeds of their loots to their agents both locally and internationally.

The group has promised to work with the anti-corruption agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission under its new leadership that has expressed interest to institute a probe in the power sector.

Another Imprest Account as claimed by Leagues of Patriots is Account No. 1017666012, with United Bank of Africa, which is used for these alleged nefarious activities. Investigation carried out by the group revealed further that Account No. 1019034680 with UBA is used to sweep funds which are later diverted to yet another UBA account No 1017547366.

Furthermore, yet another account uncovered by the group is a UBA Account No.1017681365, allotted to AEDC WAMBA, Nasarawa State. A close investigation revealed that the said account is not linked to any TIN no, which makes it hard for Government to collect its tax from AEDC.

AEDC Okene Area Office with Account No 1021027984 with UBA is one of the many accounts of AEDC that were structured to evade tax as all proceeds from Okene axis were technically structured to evade tax.

Kabba AEDC Account No 1017805387 is another porous and specially structured account allegedly used in fleecing the Federal Government. Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria has 40% stake in AEDC through its agency, Bureau of Public Enterprises. The agency, according to League of Patriots has become a willing partner in crime in short-changing the Government and the people of Nigeria.

All efforts to get AEDC to address the issue proved abortive as no replies were given to mails sent to them, for official response despite series of promises from the communication and accounts units of AEDC to do so

March 30, 2021 0 comments