No fewer than 86 ministries, companies and departments of presidency owe the Abuja Electrical energy Distribution Firm the sum of N47 billion.
In keeping with a public discover from the administration of the AEDC, the Presidential Villa owes the DisCo the sum of N923.9 million; the Nationwide Safety Adviser owes N95.9 billion; the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, which is overseen by Nyesom Wike, owes the sum of N7.57 billion, whereas the Adebayo Adelabu Ministry of Energy owes a debt of N78 million.
In Monday's discover, the AEDC mentioned it might be restricted to record the names of MDAs with “lengthy excellent unpaid payments for companies offered to them by way of the availability of electrical energy, as our earlier efforts to deliver them to their obligations haven’t been met. achieves the specified end result.”
The AEDC threatened to disconnect the MDAs inside ten days in the event that they did not pay their money owed.
“The related MDAs are hereby knowledgeable that upon the expiry of 10 days from the date of this publication i.e. after Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the AEDC will begin disconnecting our companies to them till they fulfill their obligations to us by paying off their money owed,” it threatened.
The PUNCH reviews that the Chief of Defence, Workers Barracks and Navy Formations are essentially the most indebted at N12 billion; the Ministry of Finance owes N5.43 billion; and the Liaison Workplace of the Governor of Abuja State is in debt of N3.45 billion.
Equally, the Ministry of Overseas Affairs owes Petroleum N2.13 billion; Ministry of Training, N1.82 billion; Central Financial institution Governor, N1.56 billion; the Nigerian Police Drive, N1.38 billion; MD World Financial institution, N17.60m; Liaison Workplace of the Governor of Rivers State in Abuja, N15m; Ogun State Governor Liaison Workplace in Abuja, N1.51m; Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee, N291.30m; Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, N75m; Unbiased Fee on Corrupt Practices, N60.55m; Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, N846m; and Nationwide Youth Service Corps, N56.38m.
Others embrace the Ministries of Well being, Info, Commerce and Funding, Funds and Planning, Agriculture, Communications, Tradition and Tourism, Transport, Mines, Science and Know-how, Surroundings, Girls's Affairs, Justice and Labor.
Additionally, the Liaison Workplaces of the Governors of Lagos, Edo, Kaduna, Anambra, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Enugu, Nasarawa and Katsina are indebted to the Abuja DisCo.
In the identical vein, the AEDC mentioned it was a fault of the United Nations Liaison Workplace in Abuja; the Comptroller Normal of Customs; the Federal Inland Income Service, the Clerk of the Nationwide Meeting; the State Safety Bureau; the top of ECOWAS; the Chief Justice of the FCT, COREN, the Federal Inland Income Service and others.
The PUNCH reviews that Minister of Power, Adelabu, whose ministry owes the AEDC, has repeatedly complained that unpaid money owed are among the many components affecting the nation's vitality sector.
Adelabu had mentioned the dearth of liquidity was a serious constraint on the sector and referred to as for a cost-reflective fee.
When contacted, Adelabu's media aide, Bolaji Tunji, mentioned the minister had not owed a penny on electrical energy payments since he took workplace a number of months in the past.
In keeping with Tunji, Adelabu, who complained about lack of liquidity within the energy sector, couldn’t owe something to the Abuja Disco.
He mentioned the minister has by no means did not approve the month-to-month cost of electrical energy payments.
Tunji, nonetheless, mentioned the debt could have been inherited by Adelabu from his predecessors.
“I'm undecided if the Division of Power is concerned. I wouldn't know whether or not it’s an outdated debt, earlier than the present minister took workplace. However I can let you know that there’s not a month when the newspaper involves his workplace and he postpones it. He indicators it instantly. Actually, he has causes to inform some folks in my presence that he has by no means delayed the well timed cost of electrical energy payments. Since he believes that there ought to be liquidity within the sector, he wouldn’t be the one to postpone cost for electrical energy now. He by no means did that, he doesn't do this. I noticed the report that the DisCo mentioned they’re going to disconnect the MDAs; however I can let you know that, until it’s an outdated debt, there’s not a month when the invoice involves his workplace and the Minister doesn’t approve it instantly. I can let you know that,” Tunji mentioned.
FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Client Safety, Obiageli Orah, reached out and requested our correspondent to ship a replica of the general public discover, which was instantly despatched to her.
Nonetheless, on the time of submitting this report, her response was nonetheless awaited.
