Electricity distributors in the country have said that the Nigerian government owes them at least N100 billion debt for electricity supplied.
Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, made this known in an interview with Arise TV.
He said it was important for the government to play its part in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and one way to do this was by ensuring all ministries, departments and agencies pay what they owe.
Oduntan pointed out that the recent payment of debts by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) could have been avoided had the government been timely in settling its electricity bills.
“I said all of us need to play our part. On the part of the government, always try to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Always play your part by paying your bill.
“It’s only two or three weeks ago that there was a news that went viral that the Nigeria presidential villa was owing electricity bill. This bill was not paid until Abuja DisCo put up an advert which called the attention of the president.
“You will be surprised to find some ministries that are owing Abuja Disco. The ministries, departments and agencies are owing in essence N100 billion.
“We’ve been saying this for a long time. They didn’t start owing from May 2023. So, there is no politics or mischief here. We are talking facts and how we can solve problems,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu issued a directive for the clearance of the N342.3 million outstanding electricity bill with the AEDC following an ultimatum issued by the distribution company to its debtors to pay up or be disconnected.
There is an allocation of N40 billion for settlement of electricity bill debts of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in 2024 budget.
