Abuja DisCo to Disconnect Presidential Villa over N47bn Debt
POLITICS DIGEST- The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC has issued a stern warning to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) due to an outstanding debt amounting to N47.195 billion as of December 2023.
The shocking revelation was disclosed in a report made available to The PUNCH on Monday.
Among the notable defaulters are the Chief of Defence Staff – Barracks and Military Formations, owing a staggering N12 billion, alongside other significant entities such as the FCT Ministry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of State Petroleum, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Agriculture, among others.
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Even the Federal Inland Revenue Service, CBN governor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Interior, Head of ECOWAS, and Ministry of Transport find themselves on the disconnection list.
AEDC, in its notice to the affected MDAs, expressed frustration over the prolonged non-payment.
“The Management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has given a 10days’ notice to 86 Government [entities] to pay up the N47.1b electricity debt they owe or risk disconnection.”
The electricity distribution company highlighted its prior unsuccessful attempts to secure payment, prompting this public disclosure of the outstanding debts. The notice serves as a final warning to the concerned entities, urging them to settle their bills before the slated disconnection date of Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
The development raises concerns about the financial accountability of government institutions and their adherence to contractual agreements.
As the deadline looms, the affected MDAs face the risk of power interruptions, potentially impacting their day-to-day operations.
