Nigeria: N600m Needed to Restore Vandalised Electricity in Abaji - Council Chairman

The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, says about N600 million is required to restore electricity following the vandalism of power infrastructure in the area.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, Abubakar Mohammed, said the estimate was based on a technical survey conducted by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

According to the statement, the survey revealed that about 37 kilometres of vandalised high-tension electricity lines stretching from Yangoji in Kwali Area Council to Abaji town would have to be restored.

It said the council administration remains committed to restoring electricity to Abaji and surrounding communities, prompting the chairman to convene a meeting with the top management of AEDC in Abuja to find a lasting solution to the prolonged blackout.

"At the meeting, the council chairman directed AEDC to carry out a comprehensive technical survey of the damaged electricity infrastructure and submit the estimated cost required to restore power," the statement said.

The chairman expressed concern that the estimated cost comes at a time when the council's statutory allocations have continued to decline.

"In reality, the allocations received by the council over the past two months have barely been sufficient to meet its salary obligations. Despite these financial challenges, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi has not relented. He is actively exploring every legitimate avenue to mobilise the resources required to undertake this critical project," the statement added.

It said consultations and efforts to secure the necessary funding are ongoing, adding that the council remains determined to restore electricity to Abaji as soon as possible.

The chairman appealed to residents to remain calm, patient and supportive, assuring them that the administration is working tirelessly to resolve the lingering power outage.

Abuja Metro recalls that Abaji town and neighbouring communities have been without electricity for more than a year following the vandalism of high-tension power lines between Kwali and Abaji.

It was learnt that the council chairman had twice restored the damaged infrastructure, only for it to be vandalised again by suspected hoodlums.

Read the original article on Daily Trust.