The Senior Special Assistant to the chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Education and Policy Communication, Mallam Bukar Ali, has called for collective efforts by stakeholders to restore electricity supply to the area following the vandalisation of electricity infrastructure.
Ali made the call while reacting to persistent complaints by some residents on social media over the prolonged blackout in the area.
He said the council chairman had not relented in efforts to restore electricity, but noted that a lasting solution would require the involvement of relevant stakeholders and contributions from residents and other members of the community.
He said the issue of restoring electricity supply was not a campaign promise made by the council chairman to any individual or group, stressing that the chairman had continued to explore possible ways of addressing the problem.
Ali said the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had informed the council that, from its commercial standpoint, its operations in Abaji did not justify the level of investment required to restore the vandalised infrastructure.
‘And I also explained that AEDC made it clear to us that, from its commercial standpoint, its operations in Abaji do not justify the level of investment required, which is estimated at about N600 million,’ he said.
According to him, although the council chairman had demonstrated willingness to support the restoration of electricity, the council lacked the financial capacity to single-handedly finance a project of such magnitude.
He, however, said the electricity crisis was not a result of unwillingness on the part of the chairman but the enormous cost involved and the council’s financial realities.
‘So if the prolonged darkness is to end, there must be a collaborative approach involving government, AEDC, communities, indigenes, residents and other stakeholders,’ he added.
Ali urged the people of Abaji to come together, contribute ideas and explore practical solutions rather than relying solely on the government to resolve the problem.