All ministries, departments and agencies under the Niger state govẹrnment has been disconnected by the Abuja Electricity and Distribution Company AEDC over non payment of one point seven billion naira debt.
The disconnection which has entered its third day running has thrown the people of Minna and its environs into serious problem due to the multiplier effects of such action.
It has created acute water scarcity due to the disconnection of state Water Board facility at Chanchaga thereby making it difficult for Water Board to pump water for both domestic and other public services for three days.
Some of the offices disconnected are state secretariat , SSG office, Minna General Hospital and IBB Specialist Hospital among others.
When contacted Public Relations Officer AEDC Minna Mohammed Adamu confirmed the story, saying that they were left with no option than to take this action.
Secretary to the Niger State Government Ahmed Ibrahim Matane described the one point seven billion naira claim as too much insisting that it is just a little above one billion naira and that Niger state govẹrnment will verify the bill claimed.
According to him Niger State Govẹrnment has in the last seven years invested over three billion naira in the area of provision of transformers service lines and others to enhance the provision of regular and steady electricity supply to Nigerlites.
Ahmed Ibrahim Matane who further said Niger state govẹrnment has been paying current AEDC charges, lamented that the company is still billing some old and non existing structures to the detriment of Niger state govẹrnment.
He however added that the facility will be reconnected soon while on the interim water supply in Minna and its environs will resume tomorrow to cushion hardship faced by residents.
Aliu Lawal
