Kaduna Electric Disconnects Power Supply to Government Facilities
Kaduna Electric has cut off electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government facilities due to unpaid bills.
Kaduna Electric said the disconnection comes after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations.
According to the Company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, the outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to around one billion, one hundred and sixty six million, eight hundred and fifty six thousand, nine hundred and ninety one naira, eighty seven kobo (N1,166,856,991.87).
He said this figure, including the historical debt has left the State government with a debt that currently stands at a total of two billion nine hundred and fourty three million sixty thousand one hundred and sixteen naira seventy seven kobo (N2,943,060,116.77).
He further disclosed that, despite a recent payment of N256,920,963
.88 made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State government’s debt remains significantly high and insufficient to clear the accumulated arrears.
‘In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara have maintained their accounts in good standing, regularly meeting their electricity payment obligations and other repayment obligations with Kaduna Electric.’
‘A disconnection notice was formally issued on July 21, 2024, and was received by the Office of the Governor on July 22, 2024. The move reflects the company’s need to meet its own financial obligations amidst the broader challenges facing the electricity sector.’
He explained that Kaduna Electric has emphasised that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted.
‘The Administrator of Kaduna Electric had committed to an agreement with the Kaduna Inland Revenue Service to pay N20 million m
onthly, this includes statutory monthly tax payments as required, this agreement has been honored since takeover by the current Management,’ he added.
Source :News Agency of Nigeria