Residents of Wuye, a rapidly developing neighborhood in Abuja, have been plunged into near-total darkness for over a week due to erratic electricity supply from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). This persistent power outage has not only caused significant inconvenience but has also resulted in damage to many electronic appliances.
Wuye, falling under Band A—designated for neighborhoods expected to receive a minimum of 20 hours of power daily—has seen prolonged outages that have led residents to question the reliability of the service they pay for.
Strategically located near major landmarks including the Utako Market, Jabi Motor Park, and the Abuja National Stadium, Wuye is undergoing extensive development, including the rehabilitation of road networks and the installation of new streetlights and infrastructure. Yet, the lack of consistent electricity has overshadowed these improvements.
Residents who spoke with Economic Confidential expressed growing frustration over the worsening electricity situation. Dr. Laruba Zekeri, a business owner on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, questioned the rationale behind classifying Wuye as a Band A community when many neighborhoods within the district receive inadequate power—some getting less than two hours of electricity daily, while others endure days without supply.
“Apart from the exorbitant charges imposed on us as Band A customers, the erratic power supply has also damaged some of our electronics. This is very unfair,” Zekeri lamented.
The residents’ frustration is palpable, and their complaints underscore a broader issue of unreliable electricity in the area. Many feel shortchanged and are demanding accountability from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for the service they pay for.
As discontent grows, some residents, including Alhaji Sule Hameed, a property owner on Gidado Idris Street, are advocating for more drastic measures to draw attention to their plight. They are calling for a reclassification to a lower band until AEDC can guarantee consistent service.
“It is fraudulent to place us in Band A while the service provided is worse than that of Band E. We are therefore calling on Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to look into our plights and address this injustice,” Hameed asserted.
An AEDC official, who requested anonymity, suggested that factors such as vandalism and security challenges could be contributing to the erratic power supply. He noted that community engagement and contributions to local security efforts are vital, citing that many residents express outrage over incidents of vandalism and robbery without participating in community protection initiatives.
At the time of reporting, AEDC spokesperson Adefisayo Akinsanya had not responded to multiple attempts to contact her regarding the concerns of Wuye residents. However, a representative at the customer service line provided a brief response: “Dear Customer, please be assured that measures are being taken to restore supply to your area. We regret the inconvenience caused and appeal for your patience while we work to resolve the situation.”
While AEDC has acknowledged the issue, the growing outcry indicates that the community is no longer willing to accept empty promises. Wuye residents are determined to advocate for tangible improvements to their electricity supply.
For now, the residents continue to contend with the discomfort and disruption caused by ongoing power outages, holding out hope that their voices will soon be heard and actionable changes will follow.
