Abaji Area Council Without Electricity For 1 Year – Mohammed

Residents of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory have endured prolonged darkness for a year following the vandalism of critical power infrastructure linking the Gwagwalada and Kwali substations, a resident of the area has said.

Comrade Ismaila Mohammed, a stakeholder in the community who disclosed this during an interview lamented the worsening situation and its impact on economic and social activities.

According to him, several attempts have been made to repair the damaged power lines, but recurring acts of vandalism by hoodlums have frustrated efforts to restore electricity to the council.

“Abaji Area Council has been in total darkness for almost a year now as a result of vandalism of power lines connecting Gwagwalada and Kwali substations. Efforts to fix the problem have not yielded results due to persistent sabotage,” he said.

Mohammed, however, acknowledged the efforts of the Area Council Chairman Hon.Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, noting that steps had been taken to explore alternative energy solutions, particularly solar power.

He added that while solar energy remains a viable option, it may not be sufficient to meet the area’s growing electricity demand.

“The chairman has tried his best to restore power by considering renewable energy sources like solar. However, solar alone cannot generate the maximum output required to effectively serve the entire council,” he stated.

He called for the establishment of an Independent Power Project (IPP) in the area, suggesting that such an initiative could provide a more sustainable and reliable solution.

According to him, the council could partner with licensed private investors through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to deliver adequate electricity supply.

“Energy is a commodity that can be generated and sold. If we partner with the right agencies and investors, Abaji can enjoy stable electricity. We can even develop a mini power station capable of generating up to 10 megawatts to serve our people,” he said.

Mohammed also revealed that past efforts to source electricity from neighbouring Kogi State had failed due to lack of collaboration with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

He further noted that existing power lines passing through Abaji could be leveraged by constructing an injection substation to step down electricity for local consumption, though such plans have yet to materialise.

He alleged possible sabotage within the system, which he said has hindered progress despite various initiatives.“There appears to be deliberate sabotage preventing these efforts from succeeding.

However, if stakeholders in the community and energy sector come together, I believe Abaji can achieve 24-hour uninterrupted power supply,” he added.

As part of his recommendations, Mohammed urged the council to consider establishing a mini hydro power station for local consumption and called for a comprehensive energy audit to determine the exact electricity needs of the area.

On the national front, he criticised Nigeria’s power sector, calling for the appointment of experienced engineers to manage the industry. He also advocated for the adoption of a unified prepaid metering system across the country to eliminate estimated billing.

“Electricity should operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. This will encourage responsible consumption and improve efficiency,” he said.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recent industrial initiatives, including the commissioning of a lithium processing centre in Nasarawa State, Mohammed stressed the need for proper management of Nigeria’s natural resources to reduce reliance on borrowing.

He further called for increased investment through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure, noting that such collaborations could drive sustainable development and job creation.