Tinubu urged to revamp AEDC over alleged inefficiency

The Association of Landlords in Jukwoyi Phase 4, a satellite community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently revamp the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) due to alleged poor performance and incompetence.

The Association lamented that the neglect by AEDC has inflicted immense suffering on the community and, therefore, demands immediate corrective action.

The Chairman, Kareem Bolakale Akeem, who stated in a letter to President Tinubu, said that for over three months, Jukwoyi Phase 4 has been without electricity due to a failed transformer that AEDC has neither replaced nor repaired.

He said: “The consequences extend far beyond residential hardship, as local businesses struggle to survive, with many already forced to shut their doors and others preparing to depart.

“Mr. President, let us bring to your notice that, it was the community itself that funded and installed the transformer and supporting infrastructures nearly fourteen years ago.

“Regrettably, AEDC’s subpar maintenance and lax regulatory oversight significantly shortened its lifespan, leading to its eventual failure. This is not unacceptable.”

Akeem emphasized that AEDC has subjected consumers in the area to extortionate billing, imposing outrageous charges without corresponding service delivery.

He added, “The company’s lack of accountability and transparency has eroded public trust. Why should communities bear the financial burden of purchasing and installing electricity infrastructure, only for private companies like AEDC to reap the benefits and neglect maintenance, leaving the community stranded when equipment fails?

“In July this year, we formally notified AEDC management of this development and it took them almost a month before they visited our community, but they failed to take prompt action. Instead, they belatedly removed the faulty transformer a month later, only to leave us with radio silence.

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“We therefore, respectfully request: Overhaul of AEDC management due to gross incompetence and inefficiency, Immediate replacement of the faulty transformer to restore reliable electricity supply.

“Investigation into AEDC’s billing practices to address extortionate charges, Implementation of measures to ensure accountability, transparency, and customer-centricity.

“Mr. President, we are compelled to appeal to you to direct the Honourable Minister of Power to use his good office to address the crippling electricity crisis plaguing our area, ensuring our community receives the basic services they deserve.

“While we look forward to your prompt action, we expect that management of AEDC will act immediately otherwise we would be left with no choice but to take a protest to their office where we and members of our families will take refuge till power is restored in our community.”