Electricity provider Kaduna Electric (KADEC) has disconnected the Government House from power supply for unpaid bills amounting to a staggering N2.9 billion.
The debt also covered the months of January to July 2024, owed by the Kaduna State Government, which stood at N1.66 billion.
The Head of Corporate Communication, Kaduna Electric, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, in a statement, said that Kaduna Electric took the decision to “cut off electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government accounts due to unpaid bills.”
He pointed out that Kaduna Electric announced the disconnection after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations failed.
The statement read, “The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to a staggering 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). This figure, including the historical debt, has left the State Government with a huge debt that currently stands at a total of Two Billion Nine Hundred and Forty-Three Million Sixty Thousand One Hundred and Sixteen Naira Seventy-Seven Kobo (N2,943,060,116.77).
He said the state government made a recent payment of N256,920,963.88 on May 9, 2024 for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, but its debt remains significantly high, adding: “this payment, though substantial, has not been enough to clear the accumulated arrears.”
Abdullahi said: “Kaduna Electric’s decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials. 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. Kaduna Electric has emphasised that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted.
“The company is now focusing on fulfilling its commitments to the electricity market and ensuring stability in its operations and sustainability as a company.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had previously intervened in the Disco by installing an Administrator and Special Board to oversee the company during a transitional period prior to an official takeover by the current investors.
“The administrator of Kaduna Electric had committed to an agreement with the Kaduna Inland Revenue Service to pay N20 million monthly. This includes statutory monthly tax payments as required; this agreement has been honoured since takeover by the current management.
“The situation has highlighted the urgent need for improved financial management and timely payments by government entities to avoid disruptions in essential services. The public and stakeholders await further developments on how the Kaduna State Government will address the arrears and restore power to the affected government offices.”
