AEDC says worsening power supply situation stems from low generation, craves customers’ understanding
Story from Abah ADAH, Abuja
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc (AEDC) has informed its customers in Kogi State, Niger State, Nasarawa State and Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the current low and unstable supply of electricity to homes and businesses is as a result of low power generated to the national grid.
In a statement issued by the company’s management on Friday, AEDC however said, “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.
“The root causes of this latest low generation have been identified and are being addressed.”
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Regretting that the challenge of low generation is beyond AEDC’s direct control, AEDC said, “We understand the pains of our customers who have suffered untold hardship as a result of this situation. Indeed, we empathise with them. But we also 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 a steady supply of electricity across AEDC franchise areas”.
According to AEDC, there is perhaps no better way to assure customers today than in the words of the Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, who was speaking at a press briefing held recently in Abuja.
The minister said specifically on the recent power delivery challenges: “I would like to discuss the increased load shedding you may have observed in Abuja and other areas in the country.
“With the reduction in Hydro capacity during the dry season, additional load needs to be taken up by our gas plants.
‘We are having maintenance work in the Eastern Axis around Odukpani leading to reduced power supply from the usually reliable NDPHC Calabar Power Plant and we are having challenges at Okoloma Gas Station linked to Afam VI power plant.
“We are working with NNPC and other gas suppliers also to improve the pressure on the western axis that is precluding units from reaching optimum supply.
“These challenges are surmountable, and we have a 3-pronged approach we are executing… we have short term solutions as well as long term solutions. We are working assiduously to resolve short term load-shedding challenges”.
Also in the statement, AEDC recalls the words of its Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Donald Etim, while addressing some members of the media community at a recent media event, saying: “In recent weeks, the level of power generated and served to the national grid for onward delivery to customers has been abysmally low.
“However, we do our utmost at all times to ensure that we equitably distribute even that modest supply in such a way that a fair cross-section of customers is served.“
