FCT Communities Remain in Darkness for 11 Years as Electrification Project Lies Abandoned
For over a decade, residents of four rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—Gaba, Igu, Shere, and Kawu—have been left without electricity despite a government electrification project that began in 2013. Despite the installation of electrical poles, transformers, and 33KV cables, the project was abandoned midway, leaving the communities in perpetual darkness and frustration.
A Project Forgotten, A People Neglected
The rural electrification initiative, meant to bring development to these underserved areas, has instead become a symbol of government neglect. Investigations by civic technology platform MonITNG revealed that while infrastructure was put in place, the project was never completed, and no electricity has ever been supplied.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), MonITNG highlighted the dire situation:
“We visited Gaba, Igu, Shere, and Kawu, where a rural electrification project started in 2013 remains abandoned. Concrete poles were planted, transformers installed, and 33KV cables connected, yet these communities have been left in total darkness for 11 years due to government neglect.”
Over the years, the already incomplete project has suffered further deterioration. Strong winds have knocked down some poles, while vandals have stolen electrical wires and iron rods, leaving the infrastructure in ruins.
Failed Promises, Mounting Frustrations
Residents say they have written multiple letters to the FCT Administration and the Ministry of Power, pleading for intervention—yet no action has been taken. The prolonged lack of electricity has crippled businesses, disrupted education, and made healthcare services unreliable.
A local trader lamented:
“Without electricity, we can’t store perishable goods, power essential machines, or even charge our phones. We feel abandoned by the government.”
Calls for Immediate Intervention
MonITNG has called on the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to urgently revive and complete the project, stressing that the affected communities cannot afford to wait any longer.
“We call on the Minister of Power @BayoAdelabu to urgently intervene. The people of these villages cannot remain in darkness any longer. It’s time to fulfill promises, take action, and bring light to the forgotten.”
A Recurring National Problem
The abandonment of the FCT electrification project mirrors a broader trend in Nigeria, where government contracts are frequently awarded but left incomplete due to corruption, mismanagement, or lack of political will. Similar cases have been reported across the country, leaving millions without access to basic infrastructure.
Residents of Gaba, Igu, Shere, and Kawu have vowed to keep pressuring the government until their right to electricity is fulfilled. As the nation grapples with chronic power shortages, their plight serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and action in Nigeria’s power sector.
Will the government finally act, or will these communities remain in darkness for another decade? The clock is ticking.
