Nation
FCT Residents Decry Inequitable Power Distribution, Urges Fairness
Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the inequitable distribution of power to their homes and business premises.
The residents appealed to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to ensure that the current load shedding was done fairly.
They told The Tide source in Abuja yesterday that they have not had electricity for almost five consecutive days.
The poor power supply or blackouts in some parts of the territory had lingered for almost two months.
AEDC had attributed the poor supply to its franchise areas to low power generation from the national grid.
The AEDC Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Donald Etim, had said this in a statement issued in Abuja on March 4.
“The AEDC wishes to inform our customers in Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa States and the FCT that the current low and unstable supply of electricity to homes and businesses is as a result of low power generated to the national grid.
“In recent weeks, the level of power generated and served to the national grid for onward delivery to customers has been abysmally low,” Etim said.
This, according to AEDC has led to load shedding currently being experienced in the territory.
Electricity consumers residing in Nyanya, Lugbe, Kubwa , Prince and Princess Estate, Area 3, Gaduwa and environs told The Tide source that they have not had light for days.
According to them, inspite of the load-shedding, some areas have constant power supply, while other areas do not have at all.
A Pharmacist residing in Gaduwa Estate Mr Peter Otabor, said, “we know AEDC is load-shedding light but they should ensure that it is equitably distributed to all”.
Otabor said that for close to two days, there was no light in the estate but other areas had light.
“I know there is low power supply currently on in the country, so if they want to give us light for two hours, so be it, I do not like a situation where some will have and others do not have,” he said.
Mrs Juliet Okojie, who resides at Prince and Princess Estate, Gudu, also coroborated what Otabor said.
Okojie said that the little power available should go round everybody.
Mr Eramus Okon, a banker who resides at Area 3, decried the poor power supply to the area, saying it had worsened in the last two months.
Okon said “we have only had light four times for few hours in the last three weeks”, a situation he said had affected his daily routine.
“You know I am a banker and I close late from work, I only cook once a week every Saturday but with this light situation, I cannot do that.
“I am appealing to AEDC to give us light even for two or three hours a day,” he said.
Mr Smart Okeke, who owns a cold room at Lugbe told newsmen that he had to put on his generator every day for close to 10 hours to preserve his goods.
“Cold room business is not easy to manage without light, so I have to look for diesel for my generator to power my cold room.
“I know about the low power supply and load-shedding but I will be happy if AEDC can give us light for five hours a day, “he said.
In Kubwa, Mrs Ese Williams, who reside in Phase 2, Kubwa Extension said there had been no stable light in the area for close to three weeks.
According to Williams, even when the light comes, it is so low that it cannot carry fridge or even fan.
“I have thrown away the perishable food stuff I stored in my freezer as they had all gone bad.
“I am appealing to AEDC to rectify the fault and give us light even if it for five hours a day, “ she said.
A fashion designer also in Kubwa, Mrs Shola Akinremi said lack of stable electricity supply in the area had continued to affect her business, saying that she could not meet up her customers’ needs.
Akinremi said that it was very difficult for her to sew at night as her generator was faulty.
When contacted, Mr Donald Etim, AEDC’s Chief Marketing Officer told newsmen that parts of Lugbe, Kubwa, Area 3 and environs were experiencing poor power supply due to faults.
Etim said that AEDC team were working assiduously to ensure that those faults were quickly resolved to ensure consumers get steady power supply.
“We are not happy about this and our team are working to ensure these faults are rectified quickly, “he said .
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.
Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.
“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.
Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.
She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.
By Kevin Nengia
The City Boy Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.
Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.
Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.
He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.
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