President Bola Tinubu has instructed for the prompt settlement of the overdue electricity bill owed to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) by the Presidential Villa. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday.
The directive from the President comes following the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.
Contrary to the initial claim by AEDC of a N923 million debt, as advertised in ThisDay newspaper on Monday, Onanuga clarified: “The outstanding bill of the State House amounts to N342,352,217.46, as per a letter from AEDC’s management to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.
“Having resolved the discrepancies to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has provided assurance that the debt will be settled with AEDC before the week concludes.
“Taking cue from the Presidency’s initiative, the Chief of Staff has also encouraged other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and settle their electricity bills.”
It is recalled that AEDC issued a disconnection notice on Monday due to outstanding debts owed by the Presidential Villa and 85 other federal and state government ministries, departments, and agencies.