Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has disconnected the Niger State Government House, the state secretariat and other public facilities over accumulated unpaid electricity bills totaling N1.3 billion.

The AEDC spokesman in the state, Mohammed Pele, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Friday that government-owned hospitals were also disconnected.

Mr Pele said one week’s notice was given to the state government to settle its accumulated bill but the authorities failed to meet its obligation.

He explained that the state House of Assembly had four months ago intervened between the company and the government and agreement was reached for the government to settle 80 per cent of the debt.

“Till date there was no commitment from the state government.

“We took the action after being pushed to the wall by the state government for not keeping its words after the intervention of the state Assembly four months ago,” Mr Pele said.

The AEDC spokesman, however, explained that the government had in the last three months been paying N74 million monthly of its current bill, adding that the N1.3 billion was unpaid bills that accumulated before now.

“We don’t have any option than to disconnect their services and concentrate on our teeming loyal consumers in and outside the metropolis.”

Mr Pele lauded consumers for ensuring prompt payments of their electricity bills, adding that the company had added seven transformers and spent over N500 million to improve power supply.

Other public institutions affected by the  disconnection include the state Water Board, schools, all General Hospitals, office of the Secretary to the State Government and that of the Head of Service, among others.

Meanwhile, the development has led to a rise in the cost of water in Minna by 50 per cent, as water vendors now collect N300 as against N600 for a truck of 10 jerry cans of water.

When contacted, the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, told NAN on telephone that he was on his way to Kontagora for an official function and was not aware of the disconnection.

There has been marked improvement in  electricity supply, especially in Minna, in the last three weeks. 

(NAN)