The Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, has revealed that the Nigerian government is grappling with a staggering N100 billion in outstanding electricity debt. Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Sunday, March 10, 2024, Oduntan underscored the recent payment of debts by the presidential villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), emphasizing that such payments could have been avoided had the government been prompt in settling its electricity bills.
“I said all of us need to play our part. On the part of the government, always try to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Always play your part by paying your bill,” remarked Oduntan.
Highlighting the recent incident involving the Nigeria presidential villa’s overdue electricity bill, Oduntan emphasized the need for timely payments, stating, “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.”
Oduntan further disclosed that numerous ministries, departments, and agencies are among the debtors, collectively owing approximately N100 billion. He stressed that this issue has persisted over time, with debts not solely accumulating from May 2023, debunking any notions of political motives.
The Abuja City Journal reported that the Presidential Villa and 85 other ministries, departments, and agencies under the federal and state governments owe AEDC a significant sum of N47.195 billion.
In response to AEDC’s disconnection notice over unsettled electricity debts, there was swift action as Tinubu, among others, ordered the payment.
