The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has explained that its decision to disconnect electricity supply to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board was due to unpaid bills accumulated for over one year, despite repeated notices and engagements.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has disclosed that prolonged indebtedness by the FCT Water Board forced the company to disconnect power supply to the water utility, disrupting water services across parts of the nation’s capital.
In a statement issued on Saturday, AEDC’s Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, Omede Odekina, said the disconnection followed more than a year of outstanding electricity bills, despite several warnings and opportunities given to the board to regularise its account.
According to Odekina, the power supply has since been restored following appeals and widespread concerns raised by residents over the impact of the outage on water availability.
“AEDC wishes to clarify that the disconnection followed the accumulation of over one year of unpaid electricity bills by the FCT Water Board, despite multiple notices and engagements, in line with regulatory provisions,” the statement said.
He explained that the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, approved the immediate reconnection of electricity supply in recognition of the critical role of water services in public health and community wellbeing.
“The decision was taken to enable the prompt restoration of water supply across affected areas of the FCT, following public concern and the essential nature of water to residents,” Odekina stated.
However, AEDC made it clear that the reconnection was conditional. The company has issued the FCT Water Board a two-week ultimatum to present and commence implementation of a credible payment plan to settle its outstanding electricity debts.
Odekina warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would leave AEDC with no option but to disconnect power supply again, in line with regulatory guidelines.
He emphasised that service disconnection remains a last resort and reaffirmed AEDC’s commitment to transparent engagement, regulatory compliance, and the delivery of sustainable electricity services across the Federal Capital Territory.
