The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has explained that it disconnected power supply to the Federal Capital Territory Water Board over unpaid electricity bills running into more than one year.
In a statement issued on Saturday, AEDC’s Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, Omede Odekina, said the action followed repeated failures by the water board to settle its outstanding obligations despite several notices and engagements.
He said electricity supply has now been restored after appeals and concerns raised by residents of the FCT.
“AEDC wishes to clarify that the disconnection followed the accumulation of over one year of outstanding electricity debt by the FCT Water Board, despite several notices, engagements and opportunities provided to regularise the account, in line with applicable regulatory provisions,” Odekina said.
He explained that the company decided to reconnect the power supply in view of the essential nature of water services and the impact of the outage on public health.
“However, in recognition of the critical importance of water supply to public health and community wellbeing, and following widespread concerns expressed by residents, the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, has directed the immediate reconnection of electricity supply to the FCT Water Board, in order to enable the prompt restoration of water services across affected areas of the FCT,” he said.
Odekina noted that the reconnection was granted on a conditional basis, adding that the water board has been given two weeks to present a workable plan to clear its debt.
“The reconnection is, however, granted on a conditional basis. 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,” he said.
He warned that failure to meet the condition would force the company to disconnect the supply again.
“While AEDC remains open to engagement and collaborative solutions, it must be stated that failure to meet this obligation within the stipulated period will regrettably leave the company with no alternative but to reapply service disconnection, in accordance with regulatory guidelines,” Odekina said.
He stressed that disconnection was always a last resort and assured residents of AEDC’s commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance and the delivery of reliable electricity supply across the Federal Capital Territory.
