Military, Ministries Owe Electricity Distribution Companies N32bn

LAGOS, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The military and various ministries and parastatal agencies are owing the 11 distribution companies N32 billion for power supplied by the companies.

The Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Mr. Sunday Oduntan, disclosed this to journalists at the Stakeholders’ Forum organised by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in Lagos State, on Monday.

According to Oduntan, “the MDAs, especially the military, are owing us N32 billion and we have been calling for the payment of this outstanding debts because money for utilities is being provided in the budget for the military. I want to appreciate the Federal Government, especially the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who has called us to a meeting and assured us that the money would be paid soon.

“Gone are the days that the military will beat our staff when they go to disconnect power supply at various military cantonments due to non-payment of bills. I can assure you that this government is very serious and sincere to provide stable power supply. We hope the money will be paid soon because if we invest that money into the power sector, there will be a huge difference.”

On the other hand, the management of EKEDC has called for the abolition of fixed charges but cost-reflective tariff that will ensure power consumers pay for what they consume.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EKEDC, Mr Oladele Amoda, said his company fully supported the abolition of fixed charges and to this end, “we have written a proposal to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the removal of fixed charges and awaiting their approval. Once the commission approves of it, we will stop charging our customers.”

Furthermore, he said one of the greatest challenges confronting electricity supply is lack of cost-reflective tariff and refusal of consumers to pay for electricity consumed.

Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)