Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Residents, businesses and diplomatic missions in Abuja’s upscale Maitama District have been plunged into darkness after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) shut down its C2 Maitama Substation, alleging that suspected land grabbers invaded and damaged the critical electricity facility.
The power distributor said the incident has made it unsafe and technically impossible to continue electricity supply from the substation, leaving Maitama and adjoining communities without electricity.
In a public notice issued on Friday, AEDC alleged that the encroachment was led by an Assistant Director of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Chinedu Okoro.
According to the company, the C2 Maitama Substation is a vital electricity distribution hub serving thousands of homes, businesses, diplomatic missions and government institutions within the district.
AEDC said the alleged invasion resulted in the destruction of underground electricity cables and other essential network infrastructure, forcing the suspension of operations at the facility.
“The C2 Maitama Substation is a critical electricity distribution installation serving homes, businesses, diplomatic missions and government institutions. During the encroachment, vital electricity cables and other network infrastructure were damaged, making it unsafe and technically impossible to continue power supply from the facility,” the company stated.
AEDC said it has formally petitioned the relevant authorities over the incident, maintaining that the substation and the land it occupies legally belong to the company.
It called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of anyone found culpable, warning that attacks on critical national infrastructure have far-reaching consequences for public safety, economic activities and the delivery of essential services.
While apologising to customers for the disruption, the company assured residents that electricity would be restored as soon as the substation is secured and damaged facilities are rebuilt.
Wike Intervenes
In a subsequent update, AEDC disclosed that the matter had been escalated to the highest levels of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The company announced that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, had been fully briefed and had personally intervened to facilitate an urgent resolution of the dispute.
AEDC said it is now working closely with the FCT Administration, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to secure the facility, protect the electricity infrastructure and fast-track the restoration of power supply.
The company commended the minister for what it described as his swift intervention and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring electricity to affected customers as quickly and safely as possible.