The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has begun the disconnection of government offices in Niger State over a debt amounting to N1.9 billion.

In an exercise carried during the Easter holiday, the AEDC workers disconnected the state’s House of Assembly complex, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, and water board among others.

Most of the offices affected were powered by generators when they resumed for work on Tuesday, April 19.

A memo issued on Friday by the AEDC regional manager in Minna said the debt spanned over eight years and vowed not to reconnect the offices until they were cleared. The statement noted that the immediate past administration left 343m debt, adding that from June 2015 to date, govt accrued a total debt of N1.9 billion.

It stated that efforts made to recover the debt have been frustrating so far.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is one of the 11 power distribution companies that was successfully privatized and handed over to new investors on 1 November 2013.

KANN Utility Limited (KANN) is the 60% equity holders in AEDC. The Federal Government of Nigeria holds 40% equity in AEDC.AEDC has a franchise for the distribution and sale of electricity across an area of 133,000 km2 in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger State, Kogi State and Nassarawa State.

AEDC Seeks Out-Of-Court Settlement With Customer

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is seeking an out-of-court settlement in a suit filed against it by a legal practitioner, Musa Abdullahi, over epileptic power supply.

An AEDC’s legal officer, Morayo Yedoni, disclosed this to Justice Mariya Ismail of a High Court of Niger State sitting in Suleja, shortly after the case with suit number: NSHC/SD/27/2022 was mentioned.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had, on March 8, reported that Abdullahi, in an originating summon dated and filed on March 4, had dragged AEDC to court, demanding a N200 million compensation over alleged poor services.

He also prayed the court to give an order, in the alternative, directing a six-month bill-free period for the plaintiff as compensation for all the period of unjustified power interruption.

Abdullahi had sued AEDC (defendant) on behalf of electricity consumers in Dawaki, Mata Akawu, Suleja Club, Maje, Kwamba, Bakasi, Gangare Kwata, Chaza, Emir Palace, Hassan Dallatu, Church Road, Rafin Sanyi, Paolosa and Kwankwashe, all of Suleja Local Government.

When the matter was called, although no lawyer was in court for AEDC (defendant), Yedoni, however, said she was representing the company.

She acknowledged the receipt of all the processes served on them by the plaintiff, but pleaded that they would like to settle the matter out of court.

Abdullahi urged the court to look at the faces of the people who came to court for the proceedings to understand how the people of Suleja felt about AEDC’s activities.

Justice Ismail, who adjourned the matter at the instance of AEDC, fixed May 30 as return date.

Abdullahi had urged the court to determine that whether having regards to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)’s guidelines and the Provision of Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, the plaintiffs, being customers of the defendant, are entitled to electricity service and supply in a safe and reliable manner.