President Tinubu Orders Immediate Disbursement of N342 Million to AEDC

Following the AEDC warnings yesterday about disconnecting power to the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock, Abuja alongside other Ministries, President Tinubu has ordered the immediate disbursement of funds to settle the dispute. He ordered that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) be given N342 million following the N47.1 billion outstanding debts owed by the Aso Villa with 86 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government as of December 2023.

READ ALSO: NASENI Goes Into Collaboration With Caverton Helicopters to Build Drone Plant

However, the President’s directive follows the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.

The publication released by the AEDC showed that the State House owed N923m in bills, a figure the Presidency disputed on Tuesday.

The statement which was signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy stated,

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu directs payment of State House electricity bill.’

• Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923m debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342.35m, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.

• Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.

• Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923 million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46.

Some of the MDAs the AEDC named yesterday were the Chief of Defence Staff – Barracks and Military Formations which is said to be owing N12bn, FCT Ministry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of State Petroleum, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture.

Others on the list are the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ministry of Education, CBN governor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Interior, Head ECOWAS, and Ministry of Transport, among others.

READ ALSO: Blackout on Its Way to Aso Rock as AEDC Blows Hot Over N47.1 Billion Debt

While issuing a notice of disconnection yesterday to the affected MDAs, the company said it has given a 10-day notice to 86 Government to pay up the N47.1bn electricity debt they owe or risk disconnection.

It said, 

• The Abuja Electricity Distribution PLC is constrained to do this publication with the details of Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies with long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply in that our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired results.

• The relevant MDAs are, at this moment, given notice that the AEDC shall, after the expiration of 10 days from the date of this publication, that is, after Wednesday, February 28, 2024, embark on the disconnection of our services to them until they discharge their obligations to us by paying their debts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is AEDC?

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is one of Nigeria's 11 power distribution companies (DisCos) that was successfully privatised and handed over to new investors on November 1, 2013. KANN Utility Limited (KANN) is the 60% equity holder in AEDC. 

Who owns AEDC?

KANN Utility Limited (KANN) owns AEDC with the right of 60% equity in the company, while the Federal Government of Nigeria holds 40% equity in AEDC. 

READ ALSO: Seeking Vacancy? Check out these latest jobs in Abuja!

Which State Does AEDC Distribute Electricity to?

AEDC is licenced to distribute and sell electricity over a 133,000 km2 area in the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi State, Nassarawa State, and Niger State.

When Was AEDC Created?
The company was founded in 1997, and when it came to purchasing and distributing electricity, it was ranked fourth out of eleven Nigerian distribution companies. AEDC also owns and manages the supporting machinery and distribution network inside its franchise area. AEDC is also needed to oversee metre installations, handle billing and servicing, and organise customer credit and revenue collection.

What Is the Agenda of AEDC?

The company is divided into 39 Area Offices and 9 Regions in the four states mentioned above. Following internationally recognised standards, the company has upheld its customer service standards of performance (IEC 60050: Generation, Transmission, and Distribution of Electricity). The company continues to prioritise enhancing power supply and technical efficiency by investing in the network to improve service delivery.