The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has issued a stern warning to 86 government agencies, including the presidential villa, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), urging them to settle outstanding debts totaling over N47 billion by December 2023. Failure to comply within 10 days could result in disconnection from grid power.
Highlighted among the debtors are prominent establishments such as the Chief of Defence Staff Barracks and Military Formations owing over N12 billion, followed by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory with a debt of N7.5 billion, Ministry of Finance with over N5.4 billion, and the Niger State Governor-Abuja Liaison Office with N3.4 billion outstanding.
Other notable debtors listed include the Ministry of State for Petroleum, the Presidential Villa, Ministry of Education, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force, among others.
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In an official notice published by the AEDC, management expressed frustration over previous failed attempts to recover debts from these MDAs. The notice states that if payment is not made within 10 days from the publication date, which falls on Wednesday, 28th February 2024, disconnection of services will be initiated until obligations are met.
The move comes amidst ongoing struggles faced by electricity distribution companies (DisCos) with poor revenue collections. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s report, DisCos collected a total revenue of N267.61 billion in the third quarter of 2023 out of N349.55 billion billed to customers, indicating significant challenges in revenue generation and debt recovery.