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Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) management is working to restore power supply to Federal College of Education (FCE) Okene, Kogi.
AEDC's marketing director, Donald Etim, said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday that both the company and the university were working together to resolve the issue.
He said AEDC gave a high premium to its clients and would never deliberately inflict pain or discomfort on them, as is speculated in some quarters.
”While the company acknowledges the existence of the complaint filed, the AEDC has since taken steps to quickly repair the damaged transformer, taking into account the sensitivity of FCE's role in the country.
”To date, both parties have been in constant communication on the progress made on the repairs, committing to complete the repairs within three weeks of the date of this publication.
“This is a case that we have taken very seriously. From the beginning, we broke the protocol and even labeled it as a top priority to resolve it,” he said.
Etim said it was pure mischief for someone to portray AEDC as an insensitive or unresponsive organization.
He said that AEDC will always strive to ensure that its clients get the best service that it can offer at any given time.
Etim said it was unfortunate that proper verification with the AEDC or school management on the issue was not carried out.
"AEDC reiterates its unwavering commitment to all of its clients and will not relent in ensuring that all of its clients receive timely service and are 100 percent satisfied," he said.
========Edited
Source Credit: NAN
Residents of Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have decried the ‘outrageous’ electricity tariff charged by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and threatened to protest.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria , they said that the estimated bills distributed for the months of August and September reflected a huge hike in tariff.
Mr Richard Ekoja, a resident under the Mararaba Business Unit, said he received a bill of N22,269.70 for August and September respectively as against the N6,000 and N9,000 for the previous months.
“I don’t think there is any reason whatsoever for the AEDC to come up with this bill at a time like this when Nigerians are grappling with the harsh economic situation.
“I will resist it and I know other residents will too.
We will put our heads together to decide whether we will continue to use electricity or source for an alternative,“ he said.
Ekoja who faulted the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for phasing out the analogue meter in a haste, said the company ought to have provided prepayment meters for consumers before taking such a decision.
Mr Leonard Ogwuche, who is also under the Mararaba Business Unit, said AEDC was exploiting customers under the guise of estimated billing.
He said that consumers in his area have always contributed money to repair faulty transformers and other minor repairs without getting refund from the company.
“We always go round the community to plead with members to contribute money whenever we have problems with the transformer or electricity cables in our area.
“Whenever we report any problem to AEDC, they will always tell us to write and when we write it will take them time to respond to the problem.
“Thereafter, they will ask us to wait or to fix the problem because waiting for them will delay the repairs,“ he said.
Mr Emmanuel Aleje, an engineer, said that the outrageous bills distributed to consumers for the two months would further strain the frosty relationship between the company and the costumers.
“I foresee a situation where this will cause more problems between the company and the customers rather than cementing the relationship between the duo.
“I think what the company should be doing now is to build confidence between it and its customers in order to retain their patronage,“ he said.
He said that with this development, a number of customers who cannot pay the bills would consider other sources of power for their households.
Mrs Helen Abu, a food vendor and occupant of a room and parlour apartment, said that since the bill was given to her, she has been thinking about where to source for the money.
“I don’t think our welfare matters to those in power in this country and this includes the electricity company who gave us these bills.
“I will always support any action my fellow residents in this community come up with to register our grievances in respect of the bills.
“I want to appeal to the AEDC to have a rethink and review the tariff downward to avoid any conflict with residents of this area,“ she said.
Mr Agbo Abuah, a welder, said that the current electricity bills being shared to customers is outrageous and appealed to the company for a downward review.
He said if the bills are retained, they (customers) would have no option than to resort to the language that would make AEDC revert to the old tariff.
NAN reports that there was widespread anger by electricity consumers when the bills were distributed to households in Mararaba.
An official of the company who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity said that the new tariff has come to stay, adding that the company was paying so much to buy power.
“We cannot sell power to customers below the amount of money we bought it from the generating company,“ he said.
He advised customers to go and buy prepayment meter to avoid the estimated billing.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the Federal Government on improved power supply in the last few weeks.
The residents said that power had greatly improved adding that they have been enjoying constant supply.
The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday, said the improved electricity had helped to boost their businesses.
Electricity Consumers residing in Lugbe, Nyanya, Kubwa, Apo, Gwarimpa and environs told NAN that they were very happy with the development and appealed to the Federal Government to maintain the tempo.
Mrs Egulor Akpobome, who resides at Apo Legislative Quarters said that power supply had improved in her area.
Akpobome said that for close to three months, power supply in the legislative quarters had been constant.
According to her, at times they have light for close to 24 hours, saying, ”this is very commendable.
“ I am appealing to the Federal Government to please continue to give us light this way,’’ she said.
Mr Tony Obayuwana , a resident of Apo New Site said that for weeks, the estate had been enjoying steady light for more than 15 a day.
Obayuwana said that the government was doing very well as power supply had greatly improved.
Mrs Titilayo Oba, a banker who resides at Gwarinpa said that the electricity situation in the area had improved in the last three months.
Oba said that for over three weeks, there had been constant light as she had to put off her freezer before she could bring out things she put in there.
“You know I am a banker and I close late from work, I only cook once a week every Saturday, but with this light situation, I cannot do that.
“I am appealing to AEDC to give us light even for two or three hours a day,’’ he said.
Mrs Kate Okiria, a civil servant residing at Kubwa said that the light situation in the area was encouraging, adding that since the beginning of July, they had light for more than 14 hours a day.
Okira described the development as ”wonderful” and commended the Federal Government for the feat.
“Also in Lugbe, a fashion designer, Mrs Ruth Oko said stable electricity supply in the area had continued to boost her business, saying that she was now meeting her customers’ needs.
“I am very happy now as I can deliver my customers clothes on time as the power supply has greatly improved, ’she said.
The Federal Government, in a bid to ensure effective power supply, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), approved a special gas pricing for emergency contracting of gas from the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Ltd.
The Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement, said that the approval was given for power plants owned by Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), in order to optimise the capacity utilisation of the plants
Aliyu said that with the approval an on-grid improvement of about 800 Megawatts (MW) generation capacity was expected from the NDPHC plants.
The minister said that the approval followed the emergency meeting convened by him on March 14, towards the restoration of normal electricity supply nationwide.
” And the development of a framework for sustainable improvement of supply, “he said.
Aliyu said that at the meeting, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading(NBET) Plc was also directed to enter into fast-track negotiation with NAOC on an interim energy sales agreement.
The minister said that this was with a view to bringing the new Okpai Il Power Plant in Delta State on the grid thereby contributing an additional 400 Megawatts (MW)of generation capacity.
“The pegging of the gas pipeline supplying gas to the Odukpani power plant in Calabar is scheduled for completion in March, thus ramping up
generation by about 400MW.
“In the medium-term, we have agreed with the Nigeria Gas and Power Investment Company (NGPIC ), a subsidiary of NNPC on the framework for the overhaul of the Okoloma gas processing plant in River State
“Thereby restoring the full capacity of the 650MW Afam VI in Port-Harcourt combined cycle power plant, “he said.
“We wish to reassure all electricity consumers that all relevant agencies involved in the restoration of normality in power supply have been charged to act in the context of the emergency state of the industry, “he said,ng
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
NAN) The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said on Thursday that it collected more than N749 million from payment of electricity bills from consumers in Niger in August.
Alhaji Mahamud Keni, Niger Regional Manager, AEDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Minna on Thursday that the collection was unlike in the past, when partial N400 million was realised from consumers.
” Our projected target for the month of August is N1.5 billion monthly and we succeeded in realising N749 million.
” We have set in motion concrete working modalities to ensure proper collection of debts from consumers as well as payment of current bills to enable us to meet our target,” he said.
Keni, reiterated the company’s determination to continue to provide qualitative service through the provision of constant power supply in all parts of the state.
” We are presently providing 24 hours uninterrupted power supply to our teaming consumers across our state,” he said.
He said that the task ahead was for the consumers to support the company through constant payments of electricity bills for effective service delivery.
He explained that consumers had no reason not to pay electricity bills because of massive power supply in and outside the metropolis.
” If you don’t pay your bill certainly we will disconnect you and when you are ready to pay, you will be charged reconnection fees.
” So basically, it is advisable for consumers to pay for the light consumption to enable the company procure more equipment that would enhance power supply for enhanced socioeconomic activities,” he said.
The regional manager said that already the company had officially reached out to all federal agencies to ensure payments of their electricity bills.
” If we could disconnect Government House and ministries as well as hospitals for not paying electricity bills, certainly we will not spear any other organs of government.
Keni called on consumers to reciprocate the company’s gesture by ensuring prompt payment of their bills to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has restored power supply to Niger Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies after the payment of N274 million electricity bills.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the AEDC on Aug. 26, disconnected Government House, ministries and health institutions over unpaid electricity bills totaling N1.3 billion.
Alhaji Mahamud Keni, Niger Regional Manager, AEDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Minna on Tuesday that the government had agree to be paying N100 milion monthly to settle the outstanding debt of N1.3 billion.
“The company received sum of N200 million outstanding debts of N1.3 billion unpaid bills that accumulated before now and N74 million monthly current bill for August.
“We have since restored power supply to the Government House, hospitals, ministries as well various departments, institutions and hospitals across the state.
“We hope the state government would sustain its obligation by ensuring prompts payment of N100 million monthly as agreed to settle the outstanding debts”,he said.
Keni, reiterated the company determination to continue to provide qualitative service through the provision of constant power supply for the overall development of the state.
When contacted, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Ahmed Matane, told NAN by telephone telephone that N274 million had been released to the company.
“We have paid N200 million outstanding debts and N74 million current monthly electricity bills.
“I am very shocked over the disconnection of power supply by the company to government agencies bearing in mind the modest contribution to the development of power sector by the present administration in the state.
“We have invested more than N13 billion on the procurement of transformers and other facilities to support the company to improve power supply power.
“We have done that in good faith in the last seven years to enable the company to perform optimally,” Matane said.
Matane also said that for the company to take the decision to disconnect government organisations over the outstanding debts was surprising.
NAN reports that there has been marked improvement in electricity supply, especially in different parts of the state due to the installation of assorted facilities by the AEDC worth more than N500 million.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has called on electricity consumers in Niger to pay their bills promptly.
The company said that prompt payment of bills would stimulate improvement in power supply.
Alhaji Abdullahi Idris, the Supervisor Control Engineer, AEDC, Niger Region, made the call on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.
“We solicit prompt payment of electricity bills from our consumers in return for the recent improved electricity supply.
“This will enable us to be more efficient and effective on service delivery,” he said.
Idris said that there was no going back on the latest improvement of power supply in the state.
“Rather, the company will continue to improve supply to give consumers value for their money.
“We are 24 hours on top of the game, no going back.
“AEDC of today is out to change Niger to industrial and enterprising environment to boost socio-economic activities,” he said.
He appealed for support from the public to enable the company to succeed in its new mandate to continue to improve power supply.
The supervisor appealed to consumers in Bida Local Government Area of the state and its environs to be patient, as the company was working toward improving electricity in the area.
Also, Alhaji Adamu Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, AEDC, Niger Region, urged residents of the state to be vigilant on the company’s installations and materials to avoid vandalism.
“We want the public to report any suspicious movement around their transformer substation to the nearest security agency to help us to serve them better,” he said.
Muhammed advised consumers to report any fault or emergency to the nearest office of the company in their domain for prompt action.
In another development, Mr Shaka Adaba, a resident of Minna, thanked the AEDC for improving electricity supply in the state.
Adaba lauded the AEDC for providing interactive platform between the company and the consumers to interact 24 hours on issues concerning power supply across the state.
Mr Hassan Umar, another resident of Minna, thanked Mr Mahamud Keni, the Regional Manager, AEDC, Niger Region, for the improved electricity supply in the state.
Umar advised electricity consumers in the state to pay their electricity bills promptly to enjoy better services.
The AEDC promised to extend the improved electricity supply to other parts of the state experiencing inadequate power supply.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Barau Mu’azu 11, has lauded the management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for an improved power supply in the area.
Muazu II spoke at his palace on Friday when Alhaji Mahamud Keni, Niger Regional Manager, AEDC, paid him a courtesy visit.
The emir said that the improvement in supply supply had enhanced small scale businesses in the emirate.
” We will mobilize our people to ensure prompt payment of electricity bills for effective service delivery,” he said.
He said that he had since directed district and ward hards to sensitive residents on the need to safeguard power facilities and ensure prompt payment of electricity bills.
” We will reach out to consumers to do everything possible to protect all facilities against vandalism for constant power supply,” Mu’azu II promised.
The emir urged consumers to report any form of vandalism of the company’s properties as well as desist from illegal connections.
He said, ”it is the duty of residents, who pay their bills regularly, to assist the company to monitor illegal connections and report such to the authority concerned.
”If the residents alert the company about illegal connections of electricity, it will further sanitise the system and improve service delivery.
” We will continue to educate our people to assist your company in this direction to ensure 24-hour uninterrupted power supply for enhanced socioeconomic development of our area.
”
Speaking earlier, Keni congratulated the emir over ”his well deserved appointment” and prayed to Allah to guide him as he administers the affairs of the emirate .
He informed the emir that the AEDC had highlighted a lot of challenges facing electricity supply in the state and had perfected strategies on how to tackle them to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
“We have succeeded in replacing all the damaged facilities responsible for the epileptic power supply experienced in all parts of our state .
” We are soliciting the support of the royal father to assist in mobilizing consumers on the need to pay for electricity and prevent vandalism of our equipment for more improvement in service delivery,” he said.
( NAN) ( www.
ng )
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
NAN) A cross section of residents of Bosso, Chanchaga and Paiko Local Government Areas in Niger State, have lauded the management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for improved power supply in the areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that power supply in Minna had improved to about 15 hours daily from the five hours daily that it used to be.
Alhaji Lukman Sauda, a resident of Sauka Ka Huta told NAN in Minna that the improvement in power supply had made the town more liveable and enjoyable.
He explained that this had impacted positively on small businesses like barbing, tailoring, soft drinks sellers and fast-food joints as they were experiencing increase patronage and making brisk profits.
Sunday James, of Bosso Local Government Area told NAN that the improved power supply in the locality had improved the security of life and property within the metropolis.
“The power supply within the metropolis has reduced the activities of the men of underworld from carrying out their nefarious activities at night.
” he said
Alhaji Yahaya Sani, a resident of Gidan Taya area, Chanchaga LGA said recent improvement in power supply has enhance socioeconomic development in the metropolis.
Sani, noted that the development had saved lots of residents from buying fuel for generators, while small scale businesses have been enhanced.
In the same development, a business owner who simply identified himself as Johnny at a newly constructed plaza in the area said before now, he spent an average of N40,000 in buying diesel to power his generator.
He, however, said that the cost had drastically reduced since the improvement in public power supply, adding that this had cut the cost almost by half.
Mrs Hadiza Abdullahi, a housewife, said the improve power supply had also curtailed wastage of food at home
She expressed hope that such development would be sustained for an improved socioeconomic status.
She, however, appealed to consumers to complement the efforts of the AEDC by ensuring prompt payments of their electricity bills to ensure constant power supply.
In the same vain, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar of Paiko LGA, encouraged electricity consumers to pay their bills promptly in order to guarantee stable electricity to the citizenry.
Abubakar, also implored the management of AEDC to sustain the improvement on electricity supply to the state being witnessed in recent time.
“Honestly, the constant power supply has transformed commercial activities in Paiko.
“So, since the improvement has boosted socioeconomic activities in our various localities, all hands must be on deck to ensure consumers pay for the services rendered.
” he said.
Meanwhile, AEDC says it has spent over N500 million to improve electricity supply from about five hours to over 15 hours per day in Minna.
Mahamud Keni, Regional Manager, AEDC, Niger region, told NAN in Minna on Wednesday that the AEDC had highlighted a lot of challenges facing electricity supply in the state and perfected strategies on how to tackle them.
“We have replaced all the damaged facilities responsible for the epileptic power supply experienced by consumers in and outside the metropolis.
” We appeal to our consumers to support us by paying their electricity bills for more improved service delivery,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it has spent over N500 million to improve electricity supply from about five hours to over 15 hours per day in Minna, Niger.
Mr Mahamud Keni, Regional Manager, AEDC, Niger region, disclosed this on Tuesday to News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.
“The financial implication of the equipment we used to improve power supply in Minna is over N500 million,” he said.
Keni said that the AEDC had highlighted a lot of challenges facing electricity supply in the state and perfected strategies on how to tackle them.
“We came up with a lot of strategies and one of them was replacement of damaged equipments responsible for the epileptic power supply experienced by consumers in the state,” he said.
He explained that the AEDC replaced 11 damaged panels which controlled the electricity feeders in Minna and its environs.
The area manager added that the damaged panels had been in operation for long, making the company to combine two or three feeders to one panel.
“As a result of this immediately the feeders get hot the power supply will trip off, thereby causing interruption of electricity supply.
“Before now, we can not supply electricity for more than five hours at a stretch due to the damaged panels,” he said.
He said the move had resulted in the improvement of power supply witnessed by consumers in Minna and its environment in the past two month.
Keni noted that other boost to the electricity supply was commitment and team work by staff and also improvement in power generation.
He said another of such efforts was replacement of seven damaged distribution transformers of 133KV and 11KV by the company.
The area manager said that the current achievement had spurred the electricity consumers to pay their bills.
“In the last one month we have witnessed an increase in the payment of electricity bills.
I think the people are happy,” he said.
He said that the company had set up a committee to monitor and tackle any emergency trip-off of electricity in Minna area.
Keni advised electricity consumers in the state to always put off any electric gadget not in use in order to conserve energy.
He urged the electricity consumers to also change to the improved energy bulbs towards conserving energy and improving electricity supply.
He enjoined the consumers to shun meter bye-pass as there would be serious consequences awaiting defaulters under the law.
He appealed to electricity consumers to always pay their bills as the company is committed to serving them better and surpasse the current achievement.
Keni therefore appealed to consumers in other part of the state to be patient with the company as they are working towards extending same improved power supply to them.
A customer, Fatima Mohammed, said the improvement in power supply had made her to resume her business where she lives in Tunga area of Minna.
Also, Mr Desmond Okechukwu, a resident of Minna, said that the regular power supply had impacted positively on his tailoring job.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
AEDC attributes power interruption to strike by electricity unThe Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has attributed power interruption experienced across its franchise areas to the ongoing Industrial issues in the sector.
The management of AEDC in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the industrial issues were between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN).
“ We will like to assure our valued customers that all stakeholders are working hard to ensure mutual and amicable settlement and power is restored forthwith.
The AEDC, however, thanked its customers for their patient and understanding.
The Chairman of FCT of NUEE, Mr Godfery Abah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) in Abuja, that a notice signed by its General Secretary, Mr Joe Ajaero, had directed its members to stop work effective Aug. 17.
Abah said that the action followed the directive by the TCN Board that all Principal Managers in acting capacity going to Assistant General Managers must appear for a promotion interview.
He said that ”this directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths, and unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders.
“Another grievance is the stigmatisation of staff from the office of the Head of Service, (HoS) of the Federation from working in other areas in the Power Sector.
“And, the refusal of the Market Operator to fund the payment of entitlement of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Ex-PHCN, Staff as agreed in December 2019 agreement after an industrial action by the union, ” he said.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
