MEDIATRACNET
The current low and unstable supply of electricity to residential and business consumers in the Abuja franchise area is as a result low power generated to the national grid by the electricity generation companies, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (AEDC) has said.
The AEDC franchise area covers Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Electricity consumers in the AEDC qcovered areas have complained of epileptic service in the last three weeks, with most areas in the capital city and environs reporting cummulative supply for as low as ten hours a week.
But AEDC Chief Marketing Officer, Donald Etim, said the poor supply of electricity experienced in recent weeks was as a result of the abysmally low level of power generated and served to the national grid by the GENCOs for onward delivery to consumers.
Etim said AEDC has been doing its utmost best to ration available electricity equitably and fairly to cross section of its customers in the covered areas.
“At AEDC, knowing full well the place and role of electric power in life, living, economy, and security, we are deeply committed to ensuring that we work collaboratively with other stakeholders within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to identify and resolve the challenges within the sector,” Etim said.
Having identified the root causes of the latest low generation, he said those concerned are working round the clock to address the problem.
On Thursday, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, while addressing journalists in Abuja acknowledged increased load shedding observed in Abuja and environs in recent times as part of the challenges the government has to
resolve to ensure smooth power delivery.
With the reduction in the level of hydro capacity during the current dry season, the Minister said additional load was needed to be taken up by gas-fired plants to make up for the shortfall in available capacity.
“We are having maintenance work challenges in the Eastern Axis around Odukpani area in Cross River State, which has led to the reduction in the volume of electricity supply from the usually reliable Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) plant in Calabar.
“Again, we are having challenges at Okoloma Gas Station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which links to Afam VI power plant in Delta State.
He said the government was working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and other gas suppliers in the oil and gas industry to mobilise gas supply to improve the pressure on the Western Axis that does not allow units from reaching optimum supply.
The Minister expressed confidence that the challenges were surmountable, adding that a three-pronged approach was being adopted to ensure short and long-term solutions to the problem of load shedding.
While apologizing to consumers for the deplorable supply situation posed by low generation, Etim said as a company fully committed to enriching its customers experience, AEDC regrets the situation, which he said was beyond its direct control.
“We are aware of the plight of our customers. We understand the pains of our customers who have suffered untold hardship as a result of this situation. We empathize with them. We use this opportunity to appeal to them to bear with us as all industry stakeholders are working tirelessly to achieve system stability and ensure availability and steady supply of electricity across AEDC franchise areas,” Etim said
