Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the payment of the electricity debt for the presidency, Aso Rock, after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) threatened a blackout.
A release by the Presidency on February 20 said the state house owes the AEDC an electricity debt of 342, 352, 217 Naira (approximately FCFA 130 million).
The AEDC however disputed the figure, claiming that the amount surpasses 923 million Naira.
The acknowledgment of the debt by Aso Rock follows the AEDC’s 10-day ultimatum to initiate the disconnection process
On February 19, the AEDC issued a stern warning threatening to start disconnecting several government services, including Aso Rock, on February 28 if the financial obligations remain unmet.
The electricity company disclosed that 86 federal institutions, including the Aso Rock Villa, collectively owe over 47 billion Naira (approximately FCFA 17 billion) in electricity bills.
This puts various arms of the presidency, ministries, and agencies at risk of being disconnected from the power supply lines.
In response to the imminent threat, a press release from the Presidency conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bills owed to the AEDC.
The release emphasized that this directive follows a thorough reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the electricity distribution company.
Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of a 923 million Naira debt in a paid advertisement, the Presidency clarified that the outstanding bill stands at 342,352,217.46 Naira.
The release further assured that Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, has given guarantees that the debt will be settled before the end of the week.
