The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has threatened to disconnect Government Houses, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices, Nigerian Army, and others in the South-East for allegedly owing the company N180 billion.

The EEDC made the declaration in a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Eze stated that the listed organisations were indebted to the company to the tune of over N180 billion for energy consumed.

He noted that the planned disconnection was part of the company’s strategies to recover its money.

The DisCo spokesman listed the affected defaulters to include the Enugu State Government, Ebonyi State Government, Anambra State Government, Abia State Government, Imo State Government, Innoson Technical and Industries, University of Nigeria (Enugu and Nsukka campuses), and Nigerian Bottling Company.

Others are the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Railway Corporation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, Ebonyi State University, Coal Corporation Quarters, and Federal Secretariat and Establishments.

AEDC to disconnect electricity service to all Abuja debtors

Other include GMO Rubber Division, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Ebonyi State Government Ecumenical Centre One, Nigeria Prisons Training School, CBN offices, M/S Concorde Hotel in Owerri, and Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki.

Also listed among the defaulters are Enugu High Court, Reliable Steel and Plastic Industries Limited, Jilnas Industries, BENGAS Nigeria Limited, CIFO Petroleum Limited, STANEL Filling Station, Highlift Pumping Station, FINOC Industries Limited, Aluminium Extrusion Industries Limited, and VIN VAL Limited, among others.

The EEDC spokesman warned that effective from June 10, 2024, the company would commence massive disconnection of supply to the customers and others with outstanding bills.

“This exercise has become necessary, considering the huge (over N180 billion) unpaid electricity bills and accrued arrears,” Eze added.

According to him, the situation has consistently put the company in a precarious revenue deficit position, making it difficult to meet its power purchase obligations.

Eze noted: “For EEDC to continue to provide services to its esteemed customers, it is pertinent that electricity bills, which are for energy already consumed, are paid in full.

“If this is not done, it will be difficult for the company to sustain its operations to serve customers and enhance the quality of service.”

He, therefore, appealed to the affected customers to clear their arrears on or before June 10 to avoid being disconnected.

The Star