The Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, says the Nigerian government owes about N100 billion in outstanding electricity debt.
He disclosed this in an interview with Arise TV on Sunday.
He pointed out that the recent payment of debts by the presidential villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company could have been avoided had the government been timely in settling its electricity bills.
“I said all of us need to pay our part. On the part of the government, always try to create an enabling environment for businesses to strive. Always play your part by paying your bill.
“It’s only two or three weeks ago that news went viral that the Nigeria presidential villa was owing electricity bill. This bill was not paid until Abuja DisCo put up an advert that caught the attention of the President.
“You will be surprised to find some ministries 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 about facts and how we can solve problems,” he said.
Last month, newsmen reported that the Presidential Villa and 85 other ministries, departments and agencies under the federal and state governments owe the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC N47,195 billion.
Meanwhile, shortly after AEDC’s disconnection notice over unsettled electricity debts, Tinubu ordered the payment.
In the past two months, electricity consumers in Nigerians have continued to groan over the epileptic power supply.
