…as customers of Abuja Disco complain of blackouts For Weeks

…situation capable of escalating poverty above 133 million multidimensional poverty level

The social media was agog with all manners of apologies from electricity distribution companies to their customers over the weekend for the epileptic power supply which they have attributed to low generation.

The apologies became necessary as the power outage situation within their franchise areas is getting worse by the day.

The customers of the distribution companies that suffer this most are those that are placed on bands C, D and E which usually received the lowest supply even when things are normal. Those in these bands are considered as those who don’t pay their bills regularly and as result, they are not allowed to enjoy the benefits of the little supplies that come to the discos. The discos prefer to send the supply to premium customers that pay a higher tariff

The low generation has further compounded the sufferings of most Nigerians that are keeping vigil at filling stations in order to get petrol to power their generators.  The price of petrol at filling stations ranges between N290 and N400 per litre in most filling stations.

This situation is aggravating the poverty level of Nigerians. The National Bureau of Statistics, (NBS) had said that 133 million (63 percent) Nigerians are suffering from multidimensional poverty. Many more will fall into this situation with this development

The Discos include Ikeja Electric (IE), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).

Abuja and Kaduna Discos had earlier last week apologised to their customers over the situation.

Meanwhile, many residents and business owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT ), have decried the epileptic power supply being presently experienced in the territory for some time now, a huge number of those that reside in the entire franchise area complain of total blackout in their communities for weeks.

This situation is having untold effects on the economic and social activities of the residents. In some communities in Kogi State, the company has been stopped from distributing bills as the exercise is considered as extortion by the people.

Officers of some community development associations claimed that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company only gives them supply for about three to four hours for a whole month and thereafter sends its officials to come and harass people for payment of electricity bills.

They flayed the statement sent by the company to the effect that supply has been irregular because of low generation, stating that when there was no low generation they don’t get supply.

Some areas in Kogi West have not witnessed any supply in many months and it does not seem there would be improvement any time soon.

Electricity consumers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, decried the poor power supply to their homes and business premises.

According to them, power supply has declined recently compared to how it has been in the past few months.

Omolara Amosun, a hair stylist resident in Kuje said that the situation was bad as she had to rely on generator to operate her business.

“We don’t get electricity for a whole day. I have to depend on generator and to even get fuel to power it is difficult as most fuelling stations don’t sell in gallons.

“It has not been easy as I am losing my customers every day and this is not good for my business.

“I want to appeal to the AEDC to do something about the poor power situation speedily,’’ she said.

Linus Okoro, a welder at Lugbe, said that the situation was terrible as they don’t get power for a whole day.

”The power supply has been epileptic these few weeks unlike before when we used to have constant supply.

“My appeal to AEDC and the government is to ensure improved electricity to enable us earn a living as we depend on power to run our businesses, ” he said.

Also speaking,  Agnes Okiemute, a fashion designer residing at Peace Village, Lugbe said that electricity was not too regular in her area.

According to her, they only have light for four to five hours a day and sometimes they don’t get for a whole day.

“I am appealing to AEDC to improve power supply to the area to enable me run my business effectively.’’ she said.

Cynthia Aregbesola, a teacher residing at Bwari, Abuja said that electricity was not constant in her area.

Aregbesola said that it was as if AEDC was playing with the light, they take it, bring it more than 10 times a day.

‘I don’t even understand what is happening, my appeal is that they should improve on electricity.”

NAN recalls that AEDC had in a statement issued on Wednesday attributed the drop in power supply in its franchise areas to insufficient load allocation.

The company said that the insufficient load allocation had compelled the company to load shed power temporarily across different areas.

The company apologised for the inconvenience caused, and appealed to its customers for understanding, while it collaborates with stakeholders to ensure power supply was improved and stablised soonest.

In its notice to customers, EKEDC said the irregular power supply being experienced by them was due to reduced load capacity from the national grid.
In a statement signed by Godwin Idemudia, General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC apologised to its customers in Lagos and Ogun states over irregular power supply they were currently experiencing. According to him, the outage affected some customers in some parts of Badagry, Lagos, and Ogun State under Agbara District of the company.

He assured the residents that normalcy would be restored to the affected communities as soon as the capacity was increased.
Idemudia added: “What we are presently getting from the Grid is not enough to meet the demand of our customers.
“At the same time, this is to notify our esteemed customers in Lagos Island of an impending maintenance work scheduled for Sunday, Jan.22, between 9am -1pm.
“This maintenance work will require Fowler injection substation to be temporarily shut down. So, Ikoyi and environs under Island District, will be out of supply during the period of the outage.

“We are therefore appealing to customers to bear with us. EKEDC highly regrets any inconveniences caused by this irregular supply.”
He also implored the company’s customers to be vigilant at this crucial time to prevent hoodlums from vandalising their cables.
On its part, Ikeja Electric in its notice published on the company’s Twitter handle, also apologised for the current poor power supply being experienced in certain parts of their network lately.

“This is due to the inadequate allocation received, hence the load shedding. We regret the inconvenience this has caused and wish to assure that we are engaging the responsible stakeholders in the electricity value chain to improve the situation.

“This is due to a drop in power generation and allocation. Our technical team is working with relevant stakeholders to improve the situation,” Ikeja Disco added.
BEDC is also not left out in this. In a statement it sent out to its customers, it empathises with them over the shortage of supply currently being experienced in its franchise states.
According to Benin Disco, “We regret the inconvenience caused by the situation, and appeal for your patience and understanding even as we relentlessly engage stakeholders in the electricity value chain, in a bid to resolve the situation and improve supply.”

The EEDC in its own statement said power generated on 18 January, 2023 stood at 3,650 megawatts (mw), adding that, “Out of this quantum generated, allocation to EEDC was 268mw. This would be distributed across Abia, Anambra, Ebony, Enugu and Imo States.”
Also, Abuja Disco had earlier stated that the total power allocated to it by the TCN was 377mw on January 18 and 404mw on January 19, 2023 for distribution to its franchise areas in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger States.

Similarly, PHEDC in its notice to customers said, “Kindly be informed that due to the present constraints on the grid, load allocation to all Discos have been reduced and this is impacting our capacity to supply power to our customers. However, we are engaging with TCN and NCC to manage the situation and as soon as the situation improves, stable power supply will be restored. All inconveniences are regretted.”

Olusola Bello with agency report