FCT Faces Service Disruptions As AEDC Enforces Debt Payments
By SANI BATURE
TENSIONS are rising in Abuja following the disconnection of power supply to several FCTA agencies by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over outstanding electricity bills.
The blackout, now entering its fourth week, affects critical institutions, including the FCT Water Board, hospitals, and public schools. Engr. Ayuba Usman, Director of the Department of Facilities Maintenance and Management, confirmed the development, saying efforts were underway to restore power.
The FCT Water Board has been particularly impacted, with both its Garki headquarters and the Usuma Dam water treatment plant disconnected. The development has raised concerns about water shortages and public health risks in the capital.
Healthcare and education facilities were not spared. Asokoro District Hospital, Bwari General Hospital, and Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, were among those affected.
Engr. Usman said AEDC area managers handled the exercise, adding that some agencies avoided disconnection due to ongoing cooperation and negotiations.
Financial records indicate that the water treatment plant owes AEDC about ₦600 million, while Bwari General Hospital owes roughly ₦400 million. Only 30 percent of electricity bills from November 2024 to April 2025 were reportedly paid, leaving a substantial outstanding balance.
School officials confirmed that electricity bills are now issued directly to schools, a shift from previous arrangements managed by the FCTA.
In a letter dated 12 January 2026, the FCT Water Board described the disconnections as disruptive, warning of reduced water production and increased health and environmental risks for residents.
Confirming the action, AEDC spokesperson Omede Odekina said the company acted after failed negotiations, stressing that it cannot operate sustainably without prompt bill payments.
He reiterated that while AEDC allows dialogue and repayment plans, disconnection becomes unavoidable when debts remain unresolved.
