The Presidency has faulted the advertorial by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, that the State House has an outstanding electricity bill of N923,873,000 million.
AEDC had said it will disconnect power supply to the Presidential Villa and the offices of some top government agencies over unpaid electricity bills.
In a public announcement on Monday, AEDC said the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government owe the distribution company N47 billion in unpaid bills for services rendered to them.
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The public notice informed the indebted MDAs that as from 28 February, it would disconnect its services to them until they discharge their obligation by paying their debts.
The notice of disconnection which was signed by the management of AEDC showed that the Presidential Villa has a debt of N923m while Nigerian army barracks and military formations owe the highest amount of over N12 billion.
However, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the president has directed immediate payment of the outstanding electricity bill following the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.
He, however, faulted AEDC’s near N1 billion claim, saying the Presidential Villa’s outstanding bill stood at N342,352,217.46.
“Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923 million debt in a paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House’s outstanding bill is N342,352,217.46, 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 would be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.
“Following the example of the Presidency, the Chief of Staff also urged other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills,” the statement said.
