The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, says about N600 million is required to restore electricity to the council after repeated vandalism of critical power infrastructure left the area without electricity for more than a year.
The estimate follows a technical assessment carried out by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), according to a statement issued by the chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Abubakar Mohammed.
The survey found that approximately 37 kilometres of high-tension electricity lines running from Yangoji in Kwali Area Council to Abaji town must be reconstructed before power can be restored to the affected communities.
The prolonged outage has disrupted economic activities across Abaji and surrounding communities, where residents and businesses have endured months without a stable electricity supply. Small and medium-sized enterprises that depend heavily on electricity, including welding workshops, hair salons, cold-room operators and other service providers, have been among the hardest hit, with many forced to suspend operations or rely on costly alternatives.
According to the council chairman, the administration had previously financed the restoration of the damaged power infrastructure on two separate occasions. However, the facilities were vandalised again by suspected criminals, leaving the council unable to sustain repeated repairs without substantial financial support.
Abdullahi said the latest cost estimate comes at a particularly difficult period for the council, noting that declining statutory allocations have placed severe pressure on its finances. He explained that recent allocations are barely sufficient to meet salary obligations, making it increasingly challenging to fund major capital projects such as the reconstruction of electricity infrastructure.
Despite the financial constraints, the chairman assured residents that the council remains committed to working with relevant authorities and stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the prolonged blackout. He appealed for patience and cooperation while efforts continue to secure the resources needed to restore electricity.
The situation underscores the broader challenge of protecting Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure from vandalism, a persistent problem that continues to undermine power supply, increase operating costs for distribution companies and delay economic development in affected communities. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger security measures, community participation and stricter enforcement against infrastructure sabotage to reduce recurring damage to critical assets.
For Abaji residents, restoring electricity is expected to revive commercial activities, improve living conditions and reduce dependence on expensive alternatives such as diesel and petrol generators, which have significantly increased operating costs for households and businesses during the prolonged outage.
