By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Electricity service provider has issued a deadline to cut power in Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters in Abuja, as well as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters over backlog of unpaid bills.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), the firm in-charge of Abuja franchise area says it would effect disconnection if outstanding bills are not paid on Monday, June 3rd, 2024.
In a notice released on Saturday, AEDC also listed other agencies of government involved in the backlog of unpaid bills.
Government establishments in Kogi and Niger states, franchise areas of AEDC were also listed among those owing the electricity distribution company.
“This is to inform the general that AEDC will disconnect all customers with outstanding electricity bills on June 3, 2024,” the company said.
While restating the importance of the payment, it said: “Timely payment of electricity bills is crucial for the continued operation and enhancement of AEDC’s infrastructure, ensuring we can deliver efficient and reliable service to our community.”
Below is the full list of customers owing AEDC as released by the Disco:
1. Nigeria Army
2. Nigeria Airforce
3. Defence Headquarters (HQ)
4. Federal Capital Development Authority
5. Kogi state government
6. Niger state government
7. Nigeria Police Force HQ
8. Nigerian Army Barracks
9. Federal Ministry of Industry
10. Nigeria Police Force HQ
11. Nigerian Army Barracks
12. Power House
13. Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) House 1
14. Head of Service
15. Ministry of Education
16. Ministry of Women Affairs
17. Ministry of Industry
18. Ministry of Trade
19. Ministry of Interior
20. Ministry of Water Resources
21. National Stadium
22. Goodluck Jonathan Athletics Hall
23. Ministry of Finance
24. Ministry of Education
25. National Planning Commission (budget)
26. Ministry of Works
27. Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Abuja
28. All other customers owing AEDC
Heritage Times HT reports that in February, AEDC in a notice said Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government owe it N47 billion unpaid bills for services rendered to them
The official residence of the President, State House was among those listed then as owing the company for services rendered.
President Bola Tinubu immediately directed that the outstanding debt be cleared.
It remains to be seen how the company would enforce the notice in military and intelligence agencies, leaving them to carry out their administrative operations in darkness.
