By Abuja, Nigeria
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating power sector reforms and expenditures from 2006 to 2024 has criticised the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over an alleged imbalance in electricity supply across its coverage areas.
During an oversight visit to the company’s headquarters in Abuja, lawmakers claimed the firm allocates about 80 per cent of available electricity to the Federal Capital Territory while the remaining 20 per cent is shared among Kogi State, Niger State and Nasarawa State.
The committee described the arrangement as unfair and economically damaging, citing persistent complaints from residents and businesses in the affected states over prolonged outages, poor supply and inadequate service delivery.
Committee Chairman, Hon. Mustapha Ibrahim Aliyu, said all areas within a distribution company’s franchise deserve equitable treatment, stressing that electricity allocation should not be driven solely by revenue considerations, especially in a sector that has benefited from substantial public funding and federal interventions.
Responding, AEDC Managing Director Chijioke Okwuokenye denied any deliberate discrimination but admitted supply disparities exist. He attributed the situation to operational and commercial challenges, including energy theft, weak infrastructure, poor revenue recovery, mounting customer debts and the need to prioritise areas capable of sustaining operations financially.
He explained that the FCT remains the company’s most viable revenue base, which significantly influences allocation decisions, but added that the company is working to strengthen infrastructure and reduce losses in underserved locations in collaboration with state governments, communities and consumers.
The committee also examined complaints over estimated billing. Lawmakers Danladi Suleiman and Ginger Obinna said constituents continue to report arbitrary charges and slow deployment of prepaid meters.
Okwuokenye stated the company has distributed more than 300,000 prepaid meters and introduced a capping system in line with regulatory directives to limit overbilling of unmetered customers. However, lawmakers maintained consumer complaints indicate the problem persists.
The panel further questioned AEDC over intervention funds and loans received after the sector’s privatisation. Members expressed dissatisfaction that billions of naira injected into the industry have not translated into improved electricity supply.
The managing director said the current management assumed control in 2023 through a receivership arrangement and should not be held responsible for financial obligations dating back to 2013. He added the company is servicing inherited liabilities, including obligations to the Central Bank, while working to stabilise operations.
At the end of the session, the committee directed AEDC to submit documents detailing power allocation, loans, intervention funds and infrastructure investments. The company was also asked to appear alongside the Transmission Company of Nigeria to clarify issues relating to bulk power supply and transmission constraints.
The committee reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in the power sector, warning that operators found culpable will face consequences.
