Abubakar Salisu, the Niger State Head of Service, HoS, has disclosed that the State Government had expended over N18 billion worth of aids for the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, in discharging its duties within the last eight years.
Salisu revealed this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of State Executive Council meeting in Minna.
He noted that fund was for the purchase of transformers across 25 local government areas (LGAs) and expanding the scope of AEDC network, among others.
He expressed his displeasure over the untowards actions of AEDC to government despite the efforts of the state government.
He lamented that government establishments were not exempted from incessant electricity disconnection by the company.
He also decried the exorbitant and exhortative bills issued by the AEDC to government establishments, especially the Chanchaga Water Works which is being billed N50 million monthly.
According to him, “Initially Niger State Government inherited over N4 billion legacy debt but after setting up of a committee to verify the AEDC claims, the state government arrived at N1.3 billion.
“The last administration had paid N500 million to AEDC while the present administration settled the remaining N800 million balance. Therefore, Niger State Government is no longer owing the AEDC.”
The HoS revealed that the state government plans to disconnect its energy demanding establishments from the AEDC network for convenience.
