Aso Villa, DHQ, CBN at risk of disconnection over N47bn electricity debt

By Esther Adekanla On Feb 20, 2024

A total of 86 government ministries, agencies, and departments owe the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company a sum of N47 billion.

According to a public notice from the AEDC management, the Presidential Villa has an outstanding debt of N923.9 million, the National Security Adviser owes N95.9 billion, the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory supervised by Nyesom Wike owes N7.57 billion, and Adebayo Adelabu’s Ministry of Power is in debt to the tune of N78 million.

In the notice issued on Monday, the AEDC stated its intention to publicly disclose the names of MDAs with substantial unpaid bills for electricity services. This decision is attributed to the previous unsuccessful attempts to prompt these entities to fulfill their financial obligations.

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The AEDC warned that it would disconnect the MDAs within 10 days if they do not settle their outstanding 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,” it threatened.

According to reports, the Chief of Defence, staff barracks as well as military formations is the most indebted, with N12bn; the Ministry of Finance owes N5.43bn; and the Niger State Governor’s Abuja liaison office has a debt of N3.45bn.

The Ministry of State Petroleum has a debt of N2.13bn, the Ministry of Education owes N1.82bn, the Central Bank Governor owes N1.56bn, and other entities also have outstanding amounts, including the Nigeria Police Force (N1.38bn), MD World Bank (N17.60m), Rivers State Governor’s Abuja liaison office (N15m), Ogun State Governor’s Abuja liaison office (N1.51m), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (N291.30m), Independent National Electoral Commission (N75m), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (N60.55m), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (N846m), and National Youth Service Corps (N56.38m).

Additionally, there are the Ministries of Health, Information, Trade & Investment, Budget & Planning, Agriculture, Communication, Culture & Tourism, Transport, Mines, Science & Tech, Environment, Women Affairs, Justice, and Labour.

Similarly, the AEDC mentioned outstanding debts from entities such as the United Nations’ Abuja liaison office, the Comptroller General of Customs, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the State Security office, the Head of ECOWAS, the Chief Justice of the FCT, COREN, and others.

According to report,Minister of Power, Adelabu, whose ministry is owing the AEDC, has repeatedly complained that unpaid debt is one of the factors affecting the nation’s power sector.

Adelabu emphasized that the sector faces a significant constraint due to insufficient liquidity and advocated for a tariff that reflects the actual costs.

When contacted, Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said the minister did not owe a dime in as an electricity bill since he assumed office a few months ago.

According to Tunji, Adelabu, who has been complaining of lack of liquidity in the power sector couldn’t have owed the Abuja Disco.

He Stated that the minister consistently approves monthly electricity bill payments, yet Tunji suggested that Adelabu might have inherited the debt from previous officeholders.

I am not sure the Ministry of Power is included. I wouldn’t know whether it is an old debt, prior to the current minister assuming office. But I can tell you that there is no month that the paper comes to his office that he delays. He signs it immediately. In fact, he has reasons to tell some people when in my presence that he had never delayed prompt payment of electricity bills. Because he believes that there should be liquidity in the industry, he wouldn’t be the one who would now delay payment for electricity. He never did, he doesn’t do that. I saw the report that the DisCo said they are going to disconnect the MDAs; but I can tell you that unless it is an old debt, there is no month the bill comes to his office that the minister doesn’t approve immediately. I can tell you that,” Tunji said.

Upon contact, Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, requested a copy of the public notice, which was promptly sent. However, her response was still pending at the time of filing this report.