…The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is owed N47.1 billion by eighty-six MDAs
…The Committee is tasked to recommend measures and strategies for the timely settlement of outstanding debts to prevent future occurrences.
TUE MAY 06 2025-theGBJournal| The Federal House of Representatives, at resumption of plenary, resolved on Tuesday, to investigate the cause of accumulated electricity debts owed by Security Agencies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to DISCOs.
The law makers are irked by the huge accumulated debts to Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) across the country as well as what it says is the continuous indebtedness of Security Agencies and MDAs to DISCOs ”which adversely affects the operations of the companies, leading to inadequate maintenance and expansion of infrastructure, which in turn hampers the overall electricity supply to the populace.”
The House expressed concerned about the recent Lagos incidents where military personnel have reportedly attacked facilities and staff of DISCOs over power–related disputes.
Recall that on 14 March 2025, soldiers invaded EKEDC’s Injection Substation in Badagry at 1:00 am, attacking and abducting staff over a power outage.
Earlier, on 6 March 2025, personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja stormed the headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), attacking staff and journalists after the company disconnected power to the base over unpaid electricity bills amounting to N4.34 billion.
The Committee will also assess the impact of indebtedness on the operations of DISCOs and the implications on electricity supply in the country and examine the payment processes between DISCOs and government entities; and Investigate the recent incidents involving the Ikeja military personnel and DISCOs, including the invasions of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) facilities.
The Committee is tasked to recommend measures and strategies for the timely settlement of outstanding debts to prevent future occurrences.
Earlier, the House, after the motion was moved Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, noted that the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) reported a total outstanding debt
of N144 billion, with Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the military owing N42 billion.
The House further noted that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is owed N47.1 billion by eighty-six MDAs, including significant amounts by prominent institutions such as the Presidential Villa, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory.
The House said they are aware that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) 2023 report indicates that Discos recorded a bill collection efficiency of 73.65%, receiving N1.07 trillion from customers out of a total invoice of NI.4 trillion, leaving a shortfall of over N300 billion.
The Committee is to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
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