This marks the second week that most MDAs of government located in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, have been without electricity supply from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
Recent reports indicate that these MDAs are heavily indebted to the AEDC, which forced the power firm to disconnect them after several reminders, including publishing such debtors in some national dailies.
Some workers who spoke yesterday lamented that the outage had been allowed to enter the second week, making them completely unproductive in their offices.
A senior director in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said that the office was not experiencing an outage because of the solar system installed by the Head of Service. He said that most major offices attached to the Office of the Head of Civil Service were connected to solar power to avoid redundancy in the office.
The source also disclosed that while Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Secretariat were also initially affected by the power outage, Phase 3 resolved its outstanding debts and had electricity restored. As of now, only Phase 1 remains in darkness.
The ministries affected include the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, this prolonged blackout has disrupted daily operations within Phase 1 of the Federal Secretariat, causing inconvenience to employees and visitors alike.
Pending the settlement of the outstanding bills, it remains unclear when the power will be restored. The disconnection that cuts across the central business district does not affect the activities of the Federal Ministry of Finance, which still has a regular power supply.
