President Bola Tinubu has intervened just 24 hours after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) threatened to disconnect electricity supply to the Aso Rock Villa and various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a collective debt of N47.1 billion.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that contrary to AEDC’s initial claim of N923 million owed by the Presidential Villa, the actual outstanding amount has been revealed as N342,352,217.46.
This revelation came after a thorough reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, conveyed the president’s directive to settle the debt promptly.
The official statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
The President’s directive follows the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.”
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, reassured the public that the debt would be settled before the end of the week.
Furthermore, Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to follow the example set by the Presidency, encouraging them to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and promptly settle outstanding electricity bills.
This rapid resolution comes after AEDC’s ultimatum to disconnect electricity supply from February 28, 2024, if the debts were not settled within 10 days.
The company, in a published document, had initially claimed that the Presidential Villa owed N923,873,150. However, the subsequent clarification revealed a significantly lower debt of N342,352,217.46.
Tinubu’s swift action not only averts a potential blackout at the Aso Rock Villa but sets a precedent for other government entities to address their outstanding electricity bills promptly.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the focus now shifts to the timely payment and the broader implications for accountability within government agencies concerning utility bills.
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