…Cites Low Power Generation As Major Challenge
Kaduna Electric has disconnected power supply to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other facilities of Sokoto and Zamfara state governments over protracted indebtedness amounting over N2.5 billion utilized electricity supplies.
In a statement by the Kaduna Electric on Monday by its management, it explained that it was compelled to effect the disconnection after the two states were issued Demand for payment as well as Final Disconnection Notices three weeks ago without response from them.
“Disconnection is a last resort for us and Kaduna Electric is pained to embark on this course of action”, it stated.
The Head, Corporate Communication of the Company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, cited that Sokoto State Government is owing outstanding electricity bills of N1,496,313,156 while Zamfara is owing N1,040,506,730 as at December, 2022.
He noted that the development is not only hindering the operations of the Company, but is also making it extremely difficult for the Company to discharge its obligations to the electricity market as well as make the needed investment to improve service delivery.
According to him, “it is rather sad to note that Zamfara State Government has not made any payment for its electricity bills for the past 12 months while its Sokoto State Government counterpart has defaulted in the last four months”, notwithstanding their accumulated outstanding bills prior to these periods.
The statement further disclosed that Kaduna Electric took the decision to issue the Demand and Final Disconnection Notices to the two State Governments when the repeated discussions, reminders and promises by senior officials of the two States were never fulfilled.
“We are obligated to make 100% remittance for cost of energy consumed in our franchise as well as transmission services and failure always attracts severe penalty. This is an obligation we are struggling to meet every month to no avail due to poor, non or irregular payment of bills by our customers”, he said.
“We confirm our readiness to restore power supply to the facilities of our customers upon appropriate actions on the settlement of outstanding debts and firm commitments on the payment of current electricity bills going forward”, he assured.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna Electric
has attributed the power supply challenges in parts of its franchise to lower power generation nationwide.
“As a result, the energy we receive for distribution is significantly reduced and not enough to adequately supply our customers.
“All stakeholders concerened are working hard to improve the situation. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and solicit your patience and understanding while lasting solutions are being sought”, it stated.
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