Residents of Abuja will be thrown into sudden darkness from January 6, 2025, following the relocation of 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132 KV Kukwaba Apo Transmission Line along the Outer Southern Expressway.

In a statement, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), said areas to be affected include Lugbe and environs; Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church and American International School.

Others are, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC Headquarters, Coca Cola, Railway, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), parts of Apo, parts of Gudu, Gbazango and environs; parts of Kubwa, Bwari and environs; parts of Jahi, parts of Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi and environs and other parts of Abuja.

Before now, residents of Abuja under the AEDC franchise areas were not smiling at all because of the weight of tariff burden. Residents complained that even with the blackout they will still pay the usual amount they used to pay when there was no interruption.

However, they said, those that suffer more are customers on estimated billing system who are at the whims and caprices of AEDC. The DisCo was accused of wrong and fraudulent estimations.

According to them, customers on the estimated billing platform are used to pay for the unrecovered energy theft.

The National President, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Executive Director, Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre, Chief Princewill Okorie, submitted that beside the estimated bills, consumers are meant to buy most of the equipment.

“Why shouldn’t there be vandalism when the consumers who should protect the equipment are angry because they are forced to pay for what they did not consume?

“Consumers are forced to buy materials and equipment and hand over the same equipment to AEDC who now increase their tariff. What an irony of life” he lamented.

Mr Abel Mukoro, a resident of the Presidency Quarters at Phase 1, Karu in Abuja, said that he does not understand what is meant by Band A, B, C, D, E and he’s totally against the increase and lopsidedness in payments of the said electricity tariff.

He said that the hike will definitely affect the poor consumers, who are suffering to survive the harsh economic situation being experienced in the country today.

“It is another avenue to enrich the pockets of the staff of the AEDC who will put unsuspecting customers on high bills.

For example, we are on Band A and are supposed to get electricity for a maximum of 20 hours but the highest we get in some days is about 12 hours. Yet we pay high,” he lamented.

Another consumer, Patience Nana said that where she resides at Jikwoyi Phase 3 in Abuja, consumers are supposed to get 16 hours maximum electricity supply (Band B) but hardly get four hours’ supply.

Daily Sun

In a move aimed at supporting communities affected by recent flooding, Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Nasarawa State

He oversaw the distribution of essential items, including food, mattresses, and household goods, to approximately 1,845 residents affected by recent flooding in five local government areas, including Awe, Doma, Nasarawa, Toto, and Lafia.

Additionally, according to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President presented tractors and paddy rice from the Nasarawa Rice Farm project to 13 local government areas, emphasising government’s commitment to agricultural development and disaster relief efforts.

He announced the distribution of vital relief materials, including tractors and Jangwa Paddi Rice, sourced from the pioneering Nasarawa Rice Farm project. These resources are intended to support local farmers in their recovery efforts and ensure food security in the affected areas.

“The distribution of these tractors and rice is not just about immediate relief; it is about empowering our farmers and ensuring that they can rebuild their livelihoods,” Shettima stated.

He emphasized the importance of agricultural resilience in the face of climate challenges and highlighted the government’s commitment to providing ongoing support to affected communities.

In addition to the relief efforts, Shettima inaugurated the distribution of tractors and paddy rice sourced from the Nasarawa Rice Farm project to 13 local government areas. He noted that “Nasarawa State has taken a position to feed the nation,” highlighting its agricultural potential.

He assured that the federal government would continue to support the state in addressing food security challenges.

Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed gratitude for federal assistance, particularly a N3 billion ecological fund aimed at providing relief and rebuilding infrastructure. He remarked, “The support from the federal government has been crucial in our efforts to assist affected communities and rebuild.”

The Vice President also attended the graduation ceremony for 1,128 students at the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational Training Centre, reinforcing the administration’s focus on skills acquisition as a means of empowering youth. “We cannot afford to create an idle, unemployed demographic,” Shettima asserted.

As part of his visit, Shettima laid the foundation for a World Bank-funded project aimed at enhancing business opportunities in the state. This initiative reflects a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth through improved infrastructure and investment.

In closing, Shettima reiterated the federal government’s dedication to uplifting communities affected by disasters while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. “We are committed to ensuring that every Nigerian enjoys a better standard of living,” he concluded.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including state officials and community leaders, all united in their commitment to rebuilding and empowering affected communities.

Daily Sun

Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has revealed that he will be concentrating fully on music and filmmaking this year.

He said he became a comedian by “fluke”.

He explained that he was initially chasing a carer in music but turned to comedy when he saw that it wasn’t working.

Speaking in a recent interview with Pulse, Basketmouth said, “I’m going to take music more seriously in 2025. I want to create EPs because there are some artists I want to work with.

“I want to go into music and movies full-time. To be honest, movies are my first choice. I prioritise movies over comedy. It has always been like that it’s just that I haven’t made the movie yet.

“I started with music but I saw that it wasn’t going to work. I have always been funny since primary school but music was just a talent I felt I could use as a plaything. Rap was my thing but after a while, I realised that it wasn’t going the way I want. Then I tried comedy, it was even by fluke. I was like, ‘this one is working. It must be the one.’

“When I entered comedy, the beginning was turbulent but immediately I hacked it, my career skyrocketed.”