• Residents desperate, ration light

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

Despite recent increases in electricity tariffs, power, many parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), still remains a major challenge. For the residents, light has ceased to be a right, rather, it is now a negotiated privilege rationed, with no clear timetable for stable supply.

In Lokogoma, Dutse, Kubwa, Lugbe, Karu, Central Business District (CBD) and many other areas, it is now the case of if you have light today, do not expect it tomorrow. The power system is run on an informal “turn-by-turn” system where electricity is supplied to some streets while others wait their turn, sometimes 24 to 48 hours later.

Many communities and estate associations confirmed they have had to agree on shared schedules to prevent transformers from being overloaded. Others say the power company itself initiates the rotation to manage limited allocation from the national grid.

A Lugbe resident, Mrs. Justina Okoro, who runs a fashion business, said: “Once we have light for two days, we know we will not have it for another two days. They initially told us it would be a temporary arrangement caused by some ongoing infrastructure development. But it’s been almost a year since I moved here, and the story is still the same.

“It’s really frustrating because, most times, even on the days we are supposed to have power, the light doesn’t come on. So it’s like we don’t have electricity at all. You cannot even store things in the fridge with the hope that power will be restored when due. When it’s supposed to be your turn, you still have to pray to see light for even up to two hours straight.

“My sewing machine runs on power. And when there is no light, which is more often than not, I am forced to run on the generator because I do not want to disappoint my customers. This affects my profits because when you try to increase your fee to cover the energy costs, customers do not understand. They think you are over charging or cheating them. Honestly it makes business difficult for us.”

In Kubwa, Mr. Abdul Bashir, a civil servant also runs a small barbing salon: “They told us it’s load shedding, but it has become the new normal. We spend more on fuel than on food. Abuja is the seat of government, yet we live in darkness half the time. It’s embarrassing.”

Mr. Samuel Nwafor lives in Dutse: “This light-sharing system is killing our business. I deal in frozen fish and chicken, and I have lost goods several times because of power failure. Even on our supposed light days we may only get power for a few hours, sometimes at odd hours when everyone is asleep. I spend nearly N15,000 weekly on fuel just to keep my freezers running. It’s becoming unbearable. We are paying electricity bills and still buying fuel, it doesn’t make sense.”

The effect is visible in many othe areas as small shops now close early, cold rooms run generators round the clock, and households pay triple their usual expenses on fuel or inverter batteries. Those who cannot afford alternative power live in near darkness.

Some estate associations are exploring community solar projects to reduce dependence on the grid. While some landlords install alternative energy systems with costs included in the rent fee.

Managing Director, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Chijioke Okwuokenye, explained that there are different reasons behind the rationing, depending on the peculiar challenges of each location: “There is no one-size-fits-all explanation.

“For instance, in the Trademore Estate area along the airport route, the main challenge is a transmission constraint. We are expecting the transmission station serving that axis to come on stream soon, and once that happens, all the constraint along the airport axis will be completely resolved.

“The issue is not peculiar to any location. There are areas where it has to do with vandalism and others where the problem is entirely different. AEDC will continue to work closely with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Federal Government to fast-track ongoing transmission projects that will improve supply to Abuja.

“Demand for electricity in the FCT is growing faster than the available infrastructure. There is need for expansion across the power value chain generation, transmission, and distribution. We have made presentations to both the regulator and the Federal Government on why those projects must be completed as soon as possible. As soon as the transmission issues are resolved, residents in those areas will get more reliable power.

“We are deliberately expanding and modernising our network in collaboration with the government and investors. There’s also the district programme under P4R, which injects funds into grid upgrade.

“Electricity supply depends on customers’ willingness and ability to pay. It’s like every other product. If people do not pay for power or if there are thefts and leakages, we cannot have enough revenue to reinvest in the network. We are working to reduce losses and improve visibility of our distribution network.

“There is a roadmap for steady progress. Today, there are parts of the city that are on Band A and enjoy almost uninterrupted power supply. It’s a phased approach. But with our plan for mass deployment of smart meters, grid expansion, and integration of renewable energy where capacity is low, we can confidently say that by 2027 there will be a marked improvement in power supply across the FCT.”