‘Why we opted for solar power in Abaji’ – Council Chair

The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, has clarified that his administration’s move toward solar energy is designed to ensure residents only pay for what they use, making power both economical and accessible for households across the metropolis. Abdullahi made the clarification on Thursday in response to public criticism suggesting the council […]

The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, has clarified that his administration’s move toward solar energy is designed to ensure residents only pay for what they use, making power both economical and accessible for households across the metropolis.

Abdullahi made the clarification on Thursday in response to public criticism suggesting the council should focus on resolving issues with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) rather than adopting solar technology.

The chairman explained that the solar initiative is not a complete departure from the existing AEDC supply, but rather a strategic move to introduce an alternative energy source.  He noted that residents will continue to have access to the national grid while benefiting from solar power, providing a dual system that allows households to choose the most reliable or cost-effective option at any given time.

“The electricity system we are adopting in Abaji is similar to how individuals switch between MTN and Glo networks based on convenience and efficiency,” he said.

Addressing misconceptions among residents, the Chairman explained that the initiative is a private-sector investment led by an independent company.

“The role of the area council is limited to providing minimal support where necessary. This means Abaji residents stand to benefit immensely without bearing the financial burdens associated with project development,” he added.

Regarding suggestions that the council should instead invest in an electricity “step-down” transformer, Abdullahi acknowledged the idea’s validity but noted that such projects are capital-intensive and cannot be executed quickly. 

He stated that while a step-down project has not been ruled out, the council’s immediate focus is on delivering a timely, practical, and sustainable solution to ongoing power challenges.

Furthermore, Abdullahi assured the public that no final decisions would be imposed without community engagement.

“Once the interested solar companies complete their feasibility studies, the Area Council will convene a town hall meeting,” he said. “This will serve as an opportunity to clearly explain the project, address concerns, and, most importantly, sample the opinions and inputs of residents.”

He concluded by emphasizing that the voices of Abaji residents remain central to the decision-making process to ensure the final outcome reflects the community’s collective interest.