Leading by example and as a true friend of business, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday directed the payment of debts owed to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, thereby setting the tone for other 84 ministries, departments, and other agencies of government to settle a cumulative debt of N47 billion. The management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution
Leading by example and as a true friend of business, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday directed the payment of debts owed to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, thereby setting the tone for other 84 ministries, departments, and other agencies of government to settle a cumulative debt of N47 billion.
The management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had threatened to cut off the supply of power to the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock), the Ministry of Power, and 84 other ministries, departments, and agencies of the government over a N47 billion debt due as of December 2023.
In an advertisement in the newspaper, the company had made its intention known: “The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) is constrained to do this publication with the details of government ministries, departments, and agencies with long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply in that our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired result.
“The relevant MDAs (as listed above) are hereby given notice that AEDC shall after the expiration of 10 days from the date of this publication, that is, after Wednesday, February 28, 2024, embark on disconnection of our services to them until they discharge their obligations to us by paying their debts.”
Topping the list of debtors is the chief of defence staff barracks and military formations, with a staggering N12 billion in arrears. They are closely followed by the Ministry of FCT, accumulating a debt of N7.5 billion; and the Ministry of Finance with an outstanding balance of N5.4 billion. Other debtors are the Ministry of State Petroleum, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Agriculture.
Also listed are the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ministry of Education, CBN governor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Interior, Head ECOWAS, and Ministry of Transport
Touched by the plight of the company, President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of the outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
A statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy on Tuesday said: “President’s directive follows the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC. Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.
“Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.
“Following the example of the Presidency, the Chief of Staff has also urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills”.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company had on Monday said it will disconnect electricity in the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies which are owing over N47,195 billion outstanding debts as of December 2023.
