PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
The President’s directive follows the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.
News Point Nigeria reported that AEDC had threatened to disconnect the electricity supply of 86 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including the State House over a total debt of N47.1bn.
Other MDAs include the Ministry of Finance, Information, Budget, Works and Housing, barracks, Nigeria Police Force, Presidential Villa, CBN Governor, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and state liaison offices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a disconnection notice on Monday, the disco gave the MDAs 10 days to comply and defray their debts or risk blackout from February 28, 2024.
But a statement by Tinubu’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, stated that contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.
“Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.
“Following the example of the Presidency, Chief of Staff also urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills”, the statement read.
