The management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced that the dispute surrounding the invasion and encroachment on its C2 Maitama Substation has been escalated to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, AEDC stated that the Minister had been fully briefed on the incident and had immediately intervened to address the issues responsible for the prolonged power outage affecting Maitama and adjoining communities.
According to the company, it is working closely with the FCT Minister, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to secure the substation, safeguard the critical electricity infrastructure, and accelerate the restoration of electricity supply.
AEDC commended Wike for what it described as his prompt intervention and commitment to resolving the crisis.
The company reiterated its commitment to restoring electricity to affected customers as quickly and safely as possible, while appreciating the patience, understanding, and continued support of residents and businesses during the disruption.
MAEDC had on Friday announced the suspension of the electricity supply from its C2 Maitama Substation following what it described as the unlawful invasion and encroachment of the facility by suspected land grabbers allegedly led by an Assistant Director of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Chinedu Okoro.
The company said the C2 Maitama Substation is a strategic electricity distribution facility that supplies power to residential estates, businesses, diplomatic missions, and key government institutions in Maitama and surrounding areas.
AEDC disclosed that the encroachment caused extensive damage to critical electricity cables and other network infrastructure, making it unsafe and technically impossible to continue supplying electricity from the substation.
The company said it had petitioned the relevant authorities over the incident, insisting that both the substation and the land on which it is located are legally owned by AEDC.
It expressed confidence that the authorities would conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
AEDC condemned the encroachment on critical national infrastructure, warning that such actions threaten electricity supply, disrupt economic activities and undermine the delivery of essential services to residents, businesses and government institutions.
The company apologised to customers affected by the outage and assured them that electricity supply would be restored as soon as the substation is secured and the damaged infrastructure repaired.
AEDC also thanked customers for their patience and understanding while it works with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter and restore normal power supply.
(The Whistler)