The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has issued a disconnection notice to government establishments like Government Houses, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices, and Nigerian Army facilities in the southeast over N180 billion outstanding debt.
This warning, signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, was communicated to the media in Enugu on Friday.
Eze pointed out that the mentioned organizations collectively owed the company more than N180 billion for energy usage.
He mentioned that the proposed disconnections is an essential step in the company’s efforts to recoup its funds.
Eze listed a range of defaulters, including state governments such as Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, and Imo, along with institutions like Innoson Technical and Industries, University of Nigeria (Enugu and Nsukka Campuses), and Nigerian Bottling Company.
In addition, government agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Railway Corporation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, Ebonyi State University, Coal Corporation Quarters, and Federal Secretariat and Establishments were mentioned.
What EEDC is saying
“We are also disconnecting GMO Rubber Division; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Ebonyi State Government’s Ecumenical Centre One; Nigeria Prisons Training School; CBN offices; M/S Concorde Hotel, Owerri and Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
“Also included are Enugu High Court; Reliable Steel and Plastic Industries Ltd; Jilnas Industries; BENGAS Nigeria Ltd; CIFO Petroleum Ltd; STANEL Filling Station, Highlift Pumping Station; FINOC Industries Ltd; Aluminium Extrusion Industries Ltd. And VIN VAL Ltd.
“The rest are Local Government offices; St. Davids Porter Nigeria Ltd; Gees Denver Company Limited; the Federal Ministry of Works, Hospitals Management Board and DONLINK Plastic Industries, among many others,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the affected customers to endeavour to clear their arrears on or before June 10, to avoid being disconnected.
He noted that the notice of disconnection applied to all the categories of customers (Maximum Demand and Non-Maximum Demand) that were indebted to EEDC.
What you should know
The Nigeria electricity sector has grappled with illiquidity in the industry following the 2013 privatization exercise
According to a recent report, the sector is currently grappling with an inherited debt crisis of over N3 trillion.
Meanwhile, Nairametrics reported Federal Government budgeted N40 billion to settle the electricity bill debts of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in 2024.
The item listed as ‘Settlement of MDAs’ electricity debts’, was in the sectoral allocation details released by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Solomon Adeola.
The amount Is the same as what was budgeted for 2023 but higher than what was budgeted in 2022 (N27 billion).
