President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
The President’s directive came a day after AEDC threatened to disconnect the electricity supply in the State House, the Central Bank and EFCC office, amongst 83 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over debt of N47.1billion.
The disco in an advertorial gave the MDAs ten days to comply and clear their debts or risk blackout from February 28, 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, the presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said the President’s directive followed the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.
The Presidency however faulted AEDC’s N923 million 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 14th February 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.
