The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has threatened to disconnect the Presidential Villa, National Assembly complex, and 85 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government due to nonpayment of cumulated debt of over N47 billion.
AEDC, in its disconnection notice issued on Monday, February 19, 2024, gave the affected customers, especially the 85 MDAs ten days from the date of notice to pay up or be disconnected.
According to NERC guidelines, no electricity customer(s) should be disconnected without at least 10 days prior notice of disconnection.
NERC however, said, while the DisCos are advised to observe the laid down procedures on disconnection of electricity customers, chronic debtors may not enjoy the same privilege.
Some of the customers served with the AEDC disconnection notice include the Presidential Villa, CBN Governor, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), several federal ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and state liaison offices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The notice read thus: “The Abuja Electricity Distribution PLC is constrained to do this publication with the details of Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies with long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply in that our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired results.
“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 the disconnection of our services to them until they discharge their obligations to us by paying their debts,” the notice read.
