The Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, has revealed a significant financial setback for the Nigerian government, citing an outstanding debt of approximately N100 billion in electricity bills.
In an interview with Arise TV, Oduntan stressed the crucial importance of creating an enabling environment for energy distributors and urged the government to meet its financial obligations promptly.
Oduntan disclosed that the debt primarily stems from Ministries, Agencies, and Departments (MDAs) within the government, amounting to a staggering N100 billion figure.
He emphasised that timely payments from government entities could have averted recent issues, such as the presidential villa’s outstanding bill to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
During the interview, Oduntan drew attention to a recent payment made by Chief Bola Tinubu, clearing a N342.3 million electricity bill owed by the presidential villa. He underscored the significance of government agencies, including ministries, fulfilling their financial responsibilities to electricity distribution companies.
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Calling for an effective resolution to address outstanding debts, Oduntan emphasized the need to ensure a conducive business environment for energy distributors.
He stated, “You will be surprised to find some ministries that are owing Abuja Disco. The ministries, departments, and agencies are owing, in essence, N100 billion. We’ve been saying this for a long time. They didn’t start owing from May 2023. So there is no politics or mischief here. We are talking facts and how we can solve problems.”
