The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it disconnected electricity supply to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board after the board failed to pay its outstanding electricity bills for more than a year, the company said in a statement on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
AEDC’s Head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, Omede Odekina, explained that the disconnection followed repeated non-payment of utility bills by the FCT Water Board, despite several notices and engagements that gave the board opportunities to regularise its account under regulatory guidelines. The company said the move was a last resort aimed at recovering the debt.
The water board’s lack of electricity had disrupted water production and supply in parts of the FCT, contributing to concerns about potential shortages in the nation’s capital, where reliable potable water is already a recurring challenge for residents.
Critics and analysts say the FCT Water Board’s ability to pay utility bills is crucial to keeping treatment plants such as the Lower Usuma Dam facility running.
In response to growing concerns from residents and water users, AEDC said that electricity supply has now been restored to the FCT Water Board but on conditions.
The company has given the board a two-week deadline to present and begin implementing a credible payment plan to address its outstanding debts. If the board fails to meet this deadline, AEDC warned it may disconnect supply again under applicable regulatory provisions.
AEDC emphasised that the reconnection reflects its recognition of the critical importance of water supply for public health and community wellbeing, especially in the FCT, where disruptions can affect tens of thousands of households.
The company said it remains open to dialogue and collaborative solutions with the water board and relevant authorities to ensure continued service delivery while addressing the debt.
Observers say the incident highlights broader concerns about utility financing and service delivery in key public infrastructure utilities in Nigeria, where many government agencies and service providers struggle with revenue shortfalls and operational costs. AEDC’s conditional reconnection plan is seen as an effort to balance revenue recovery with essential service continuity.
The development adds to ongoing discussions in Abuja about improving water and power supply reliability for residents, including debates on how to strengthen billing, payment, and infrastructure maintenance for critical public utilities.
