By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
For the third time in ten months, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has disconnected Niger state government facilities over unpaid debt running into several millions of Naira.
Niger state government and the AEDC have been having a running battle over the former’s failure to redeem pledge to clear all outstanding debts allegedly accumulated since the inception of the present administration in the past seven years.
While the company which commenced aggressive debts recovery is asking for at least a clearance of all outstanding debts running into several millions of Naira, the Niger state government is raising objections to some of the claims.
Niger state, according to the Secretary to Niger State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane, invested huge sums of money procuring some of the facilities used in the distribution of electricity to rural areas and the AEDC is not mentioning that in their claims.
While the AEDC had maintained that the government failed to meet up with its own part of the gentleman's agreement to pay outstanding debts worth about N1.8 billion as agreed upon by the parties in August, Niger state government is insisting that the amount is arguable.
Some of the affected government facilities, according to NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Correspondent’s findings, were at first disconnected on the 20th of April and again disconnected for the second time on the 26th of August this year before the most recent disconnection on Tuesday.
The AEDC Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Niger Region, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, who confirmed the latest disconnection, however declined to give details, claiming that he was at a meeting when NEWSLEADER Correspondent called on him.
Meanwhile, there are fears among families of those who have patients at the IBB Specialised Hospital in Minna, over the fate of their loved ones as the facility would remain in darkness, and for how long before the state government responds to AEDC.
Mr. Joseph Momoh, who claimed to have his uncle on admission in the facility, said he is worried about what would become of the hospital located at the outskirts of the town and at a spot that is almost isolated from the rest of Minna town.
Apart from the General hospitals and the IBB Specialized Hospital, the AEDC disconnected the state Water Works, Government House, Niger State House of Assembly Complex and the state Secretariat opposite.
Others included the SSG's office, all Ministries, Agencies, Departments, Boards and Parastatals in different locations outside the state secretariat complex such as the, State Development Goals (SDGs) office. NNL.
