Abuja DISCO blames constant power failure in Niger on N696m debt

The Business Regional Manager of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Mr. Akuboku Emenike, has blamed the constant power failure being experienced in parts of the state to huge debts and as well the national towers vandalized by unknown persons.

The explanations by the AEDC Regional Manager on Tuesday is coming as members of the Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) disagree with the excuses for constant power failure and therefore opted for a, ‘no-light-no-bill’ to consumers in the state.

Emenike attributed the constant power outage to unpaid electricity bills to the tune of, N695 million by the state and therefore called on the state government to ensure payment of the outstanding bills for improved supply.

“AEDC is being owed N695 million in all local government areas and this money is expected to be paid by the end of this month. What we have at the moment is less than N200 million which is far low in disparity and that is why we are appealing to the government to help us evolve strategies to get the people pay up their bills”.

Emenike was summoned by the Niger State House of Assembly to explain the rationale behind the gross interruptions and in some cases total blackouts as they proposed no-light-no-pay for electricity not consumed by customers.

The lackadaisical attitude of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in carrying out their statutory services is becoming worrisome and Nigerlites will no longer be cowed into paying for electricity they did not consume.

Besides crazy billing, high voltage supply often lead to destruction of electrical appliances and in some cases cause deaths, the legislature argued as they recalled the incident at Angwan-billi and Emir’s palace all within Minna metropolis where human and material damages were recorded.
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The Regional Manager who apologized for the development however told the state legislature that issues of efficient power supply to citizens was beyond the control of the company but can only be possible ‘when the system improves’.

The AEDC Manager joined in defence of the company by the Head of Communication, Mr. Oyebode Fadepe however assured the members of the House of Assembly that the company will be more careful at ensuring that customers are not shortchanged and appealed that the company be given time to review the issues raised with a view to addressing them.

Contrary to the insinuations that the poor electricity supply in the state is caused by monies collected from the state not remitted to their Abuja headquarters, the AEDC officials told the legislature that supply in the last few weeks have been an unusual situation beyond their control but expressed optimism that power supply in the state will soon be back to normal.