The issue with power in Nigeria is affecting everyone and even the seat of power is also owing like most households with estimated billing. Right now, the Abuja Electric Distribution Company (AEDC) is tired of giving free services without payment to government agencies in Abuja.
AEDC has been boxed into a corner with the economic situation in Nigeria and has therefore told the Aso Rock and about 84 other government agencies to pay up their debts.
The said debt is said to be running into billions of naira since 2023.
Failure to pay up will attract a stiff penalty, AEDC warned.
There is a saying that there is no free launch anywhere, not even in Freetown. But in Nigeria, the government and its agencies want to get it all free.
As a result, AEDC is planning to cut power to Aso Rock over unpaid debts.
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The amusing part of this development is that AEDC will also be cutting power supply to the Ministry of Power.
Also, 84 other ministries, departments, and agencies of the government are involved.
According to AEDC, ₦47.1 billion in debt since December 2023, is not a small money.
AEDC May Cut Power Supply To Aso Rock
The DisCo, in an advertorial, gave the Presidential Villa and 84 other MDAs, a 10-day notice to pay up their electricity debt of ₦47.1 billion or face disconnection.
“Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) is constrained to do this publication with the details of government ministries, departments, and agencies with huge unpaid bills for services rendered.
“AEDC provided government ministries, departments, and agencies with electricity supply, but the MDAs have refused to pay their bills.
Our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired result.
“The relevant MDAs are with this given notice informed that AEDC shall after the expiration of 10 days from the date of this publication, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, disconnect our services to them until they clear their debts.”
Topping the list of debtors is the chief of defence staff barracks and military formations. Both owe a staggering ₦12 billion in arrears.
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Following closely behind is the Ministry of FCT, accumulating a debt of ₦7.5 billion.
The Ministry of Finance is also among the top debtors, with an outstanding balance of ₦5.4 billion.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Governor’s Abuja Liaison Office finds itself in arrears, owing ₦3.4 billion, among other debtors.
