FCT residents threaten to occupy AEDC’s office over alleged inefficiency

Residents of Jikwoyi Phase IV, a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed frustration over the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s (AEDC) failure to replace a faulty transformer, which resulted in a two-week power outage.

The community revealed this information in a letter to the Managing Director of AEDC Zone 4.

The letter was signed by Mr Kareem Bolakale Akeem, the chairman of the Landlords Association.

Akeem accused the company of negligence and poor maintenance despite significant revenue collection from the area.

In the letter, the residents alleged that AEDC disregarded numerous warnings and complaints about the transformer’s deteriorating condition.

The transformer had suffered from oil leakage, overloading, and damaged riser wire.

The community demanded immediate replacement of the failed transformer, old riser wires, aluminium conductors, and wooden poles, warning that they would occupy the AEDC office if their demands were not met within a week.

The community expressed deep disappointment and stated that residents are at their wit’s end due to AEDC’s failure. They stressed that they would not be silenced again.

In a letter addressed to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the police, and local leaders, the community sought urgent intervention to ensure power restoration as soon as possible.

They highlighted that the infrastructure in Phase IV was established through communal efforts and criticised AEDC for its lack of maintenance and responsiveness.

Akeem said: “It is disheartening that while the infrastructure in Phase 4 was established through communal efforts, AEDC continues to collect substantial revenues from the residents without providing the necessary maintenance or upgrades.

“We have repeatedly raised concerns with AEDC regarding the overloading of the second transformer, which has resulted in oil leakage and the burning of risers. Additionally, aluminium conductors frequently drop, further evidencing the strain on the transformer. Despite these earnings, AEDC has failed to take appropriate action.

“We believe AEDC can address these issues within a week.

“We must stress that the residents are increasingly agitated and dissatisfied with AEDC’s lack of responsiveness. Should there be no action within one week of receiving this notice, we will have no choice but to occupy the AEDC office until our demands are met.”

AEDC has yet to respond to the community’s demands.