Gwagwalada residents decry poor electricity supply

By Usman Shuaibu

Some residents in Gwagwalada area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the continued poor electricity supply in the area, which they said has crippled commercial activities in the place.

They said many businesses were facing serious setback, due to the epileptic nature of the power supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in the area.

Investigation by Peoples Daily revealed that the people of the area have been living in darkness due to the problem of electricity, forcing them to resort to using stand-by generators, which most of the residents cannot afford.

It was also observed that some of the business outfits mostly affected were hair dressing, barbing saloon, hotels, laundry services and video film renting operators, and among others.

As expected, however, items such as candles, batteries as well as kerosene are on high demands.

Across section of the residents who spoke to Peoples Daily appealed to FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed to intervene and compel the AEDC to change its attitude and ensure the provision of constant electricity supply in the territory.

A resident in the area, Ibe Ijeoma, accused the electricity service provider in the area of preferential treatment of the people in the area.

” A situation where when you go to some places within the area, you see them having constant supply of electricity, while majority of the area are left in darkness is not fair; we should be treated equally.

I don’t understand why they are doing like that- dividing us into two, and we are still living in the same area, we too can pay higher charges if it is what it takes to have light like some people do; this has to change before it goes out of hand”, she said.

Also, a tailor in the area, Mr. Adamu Abubakar, who said that although the supply of electricity was improving in some parts of the council, however insisted that AEDC needs to put more effort in providing constant light for the entire area.

Meanwhile, when Peoples Daily contacted one of some officials of AEDC district office in Gwagwalada, who pleaded for animosity promised that everything would be done to restore and improve electricity supply in the area.