The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has threatened to disconnect no fewer than 86 Ministries, Agencies and Departments of the government, including the Presidential Villa in the nation’s capital, over alleged debt to the tune of N47 billion.

The AEDC made this known in a public notice by its management on Monday, February 19, 2024.

The DisCo noted that the Presidential Villa owes the sum of N923.9 million; the National Security Adviser owes N95.9 million; the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) owes the sum of N7.57 billion, while the Ministry of Power owes N78 million.

The Ministry of State Petroleum owes N2.13 billion; the Ministry of Education, N1.82 billion; the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), N1.56 billion; the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), N1.38 billion; MD World Bank, N17.60 million; Rivers State Governor’s Abuja liaison office, N15 million; Ogun State Governor’s Abuja liaison office, N1.51 million; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), N291.30 million; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), N75 million; Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), N60.55 million; Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), N846 million; and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), N56.38 million.

It was further gathered that the Defence Headquarters is the most indebted with N12 billion; the Ministry of Finance owes N5.43 billion; and the Niger State Governor’s Abuja liaison office has a debt of N3.45 billion.

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Others include the Ministries of Health, Information, Trade and Investment; Budget and Planning; Agriculture; Transport; Science and Technology; Women Affairs; and Labour; among others.

The AEDC disclosed that the MDAs were owing long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply, noting that “our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired result”.

The AEDC, however, threatened to disconnect the MDAs in 10 days should they fail to pay their debts.

“The relevant MDAs are hereby given notice that the AEDC shall after the expiration of 10 days from the date of this publication, that is, after Wednesday, 28th February 2024, embark on disconnection of our services to them until they discharge their obligations to us by paying their debts,” the DisCo stated.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, whose ministry owes the AEDC, has repeatedly complained that unpaid debt is one of the factors affecting Nigeria’s power sector.

The minister, who called for a cost-reflective tariff, said lack of liquidity was a major constraint to the sector.

The MDAs have however yet to speak on the alleged debt as of press time.

The Star