Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has issued a stern notice of disconnection to the presidential villa, signaling a potential blackout due to an outstanding debt of N923 million accumulated since December 2023.
This alarming development was disclosed by the AEDC in a press release on Monday, February 19, 2024, shedding light on a wider issue of indebtedness plaguing various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
AEDC’s publication not only highlighted the significant debt owed by the Presidential Villa but also exposed 85 other government MDAs grappling with unpaid bills amounting to billions of naira. Among the prominent debtors are the Chief of Defence Staff-Barracks and Military Formations, FCT Ministry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of State Petroleum, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Agriculture.
The notice issued by AEDC underscored the urgency of the matter, stating, “The Management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has given a 10 days’ notice to 86 Government to pay up the N47.1bn electricity debt they owe or risk disconnection.” The company lamented the failure of previous attempts to prompt the government entities to settle their outstanding bills, emphasizing the necessity of the current public disclosure.
In a plea for compliance, AEDC urged the indebted MDAs to settle their outstanding bills before the looming disconnection deadline set for Wednesday, February 28, 2024. The company expressed its frustration, stating that their attempts to secure payment for services rendered through the provision of electricity had fallen short of achieving the desired results.
With the threat of power disconnection looming over key government establishments, the situation raises concerns about potential disruptions in essential services and operations. As the clock ticks down to the ultimatum, the ball is now in the court of the indebted MDAs to avert a nationwide power crisis and settle their debts promptly.