A widespread electricity blackout caused by technical faults in some feeders owned by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has affected at least 53 locations, including the Presidential Villa.

The technical fault affecting the power supply to some parts of the city in the Abuja metropolis impacted transmission to the R4 Injection Sub Station at Three Arm Zone, Aso Drive, which supplies power to the Presidential Villa, the seat of power.

The AEDC made this known in an announcement posted on its official X handle on Friday and appealed to its customers to be patient while its engineers ?work tirelessly to restore electricity to the affected areas as soon as possible.?

In the announcement, it identified areas like ?CKC Gwagwalada, Kuje Road, Almat Farms, Kiran Farm, Efugo, Kwali Road, L5 Injection Substation, Chukuku Environs, Premium Farm, El-rufai Estate, Daghiri, Kuje Extension, John Calvin Estate, Kings Court, Karmo District, Idu Industrial, Urban shelter Katampe.?

Others include ?Living Faith Church Katampe, Jahi village, Katampe extension, Jahi by Gilmore, Gishiri, Mabushi, Kadokuchi, Navy Estate, Anan House, Jahi Village, NAF Conference, Lake View Phase 1&2, Custom Quarter, Chida Hotel, Dakibiu, Brains and Hammer City Estate, Today Estate, Dape District, Katsina Estate, Paradise Estate, Ochacho Estate, Kafe District, American Embassy Estate, part of Gwarinpa, Zone C War College, Lateef Jakande, Zone E, Zone D, Bestway Hotel, Eterna filling station.?

Similarly, Dantata, R3 Injection Sub Station, R4 Injection Sub Station by Three Arm Zone, Aso Drive, Lugbe FHA 1, Part of FHA 2, Tudunwada, Master?s Lounge, Total Filling Station, Salem Academy, Environmental, Back of Premier Academy, Old Metro Bakery, Video Club, Pack Well, Unity Hospital, Sector F and surrounding areas R5 Injection Sub Station, Naff Valley Estate Injection Sub Station and surrounding areas.?

The incident is the latest of technical outages caused by dilapidated feeders. Recent findings by The PUNCH showed that no fewer than 188 locations franchised within the FCT, operating under the AEDC, endured widespread power outages and blackouts caused by various technical faults to its feeders in two months.

These disruptions significantly impacted the power supply to numerous areas and businesses occurred between January 1 and February 11, 2025.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had during the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan on Thursday lamented the continued decay of infrastructure in the electricity sector.

He blamed this on the unwillingness of electricity distribution companies to invest in their networks.

He criticised the Discos for focusing on short-term profits at the expense of long-term investments.

According to the minister, their reluctance to invest in necessary infrastructure and their inability to attract financing due to weak balance sheets have hindered progress.

?This year, we are focusing on restructuring the Discos. We are going to carry out major reforms, addressing their poor investment strategies.? (The PUNCH)

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