The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disconnected the Kaduna Government House over N2.9 billion debt.
The company in a statement signed by the Head, Corporation Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said the government house had not paid for electricity consumed in seven months.
Recall that in the early hours of Friday, the state government through its tax agency, the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) sealed the electricity coy over N600 million tax liabilities.
But Abdullahi said the disconnection took effect after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations.
According to the statement, “In a dramatic move that underscores growing tensions between utility providers and state governments, Kaduna Electric has cut off electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government accounts due to unpaid bills.
“Kaduna Electric announced the disconnection after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations. The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to a staggering N1,166 billion. This figure, including the historical debt, has left the State Government with a huge debt that currently stands at a total of N2,943 billion.”
He said despite a recent payment of N256 million made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State Government’s debt remains significantly high, “This payment, though substantial, has not been enough to clear the accumulated arrears.”
“Kaduna Electric’s decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials. In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have maintained their accounts in good standing, regularly meeting their electricity payment obligations and other repayment obligations with Kaduna Electric.