Schools remain disconnected as AEDC restores power to FCT Water Board, hospitals
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has reconnected power to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board after a five-week disconnection over accumulated debts. Abuja Metro had exclusively reported in last Friday’s edition of Daily Trust how the AEDC disconnected several agencies and institutions under the FCT Administration (FCTA), including the water board, hospitals, and […]
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has reconnected power to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board after a five-week disconnection over accumulated debts.
Abuja Metro had exclusively reported in last Friday’s edition of Daily Trust how the AEDC disconnected several agencies and institutions under the FCT Administration (FCTA), including the water board, hospitals, and schools.
Announcing the restoration on Saturday, AEDC’s Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communication, Omede Odekina, said the move followed “spirited appeals” from residents and a recognition of the critical importance of water supply to public health and community wellbeing.
In a statement shared with Abuja Metro, the AEDC noted that the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, directed the immediate reconnection to enable the prompt restoration of water services across the FCT.
However, the AEDC warned that the reconnection is conditional. “AEDC has formally issued the FCT Water Board a two-week timeline within which to present and begin implementing a credible payment plan towards the settlement of its outstanding electricity obligations,” the statement read.
It added that failure to meet this obligation would leave the company with no choice but to re-disconnect the service in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
An investigation at the Lower Usuma Dam water treatment plant in the Bwari Area Council confirmed that power was restored at approximately 9 am on Saturday. A senior official at the FCT Water Board told our reporter that the treatment plant had come to a standstill by Friday night, leading to a total shutdown between 9 pm Friday and 9 am Saturday.
According to sources, the shutdown occurred because the plant exhausted its supply of diesel used to run two backup power generators during the five-week blackout.
Abuja Metro reports that the disconnection had also affected all 14 FCT district hospitals across the six area councils.
Power was restored to the hospitals following engagements between the AEDC and the FCT authorities responsible for bill settlements.
Further investigations, however, reveal that power remains disconnected at several educational institutions.
At the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Dutse, a boarding facility, sources informed Abuja Metro yesterday that the school was still experiencing a blackout as of Sunday.