By Dayo Omoogun
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) whose jurisdiction covers Abuja, Niger, Kogi and Nasarrawa States has announced plans to recover outstanding payments for electricity
consumed by customers beginning from next week Tuesday,12th May,2020. This will definitely translate to a lot more hardship for Nigerians as many are currently cash strapped due to COVID-19 inspired lockdown and may not be able to meet this demand.
According to the notice directed to its customers, the company said it had shown solidarity with her customers while the total lockdown lasted as it recognized that there was a sharp drop in economic activities but can no longer sustain it unless payment is received for the service that has been rendered.
In the heat of the lockdown, there was strong advocacy for the Distribution companies to provide power at no cost to the consumers in order to mellow the effects of the sit at home order during the total lockdown and the DISCO’s were willing to do so if the Federal Government will pick the bills. All hopes that this could be part of the palliatives for Nigerians is now dashed as it is now clear that the proposal did not get the nod of government.
“However, with the gradual restoration of socio-economic activities, we cannot sustain serving you unless payment is received for the service that had been rendered.”
“Consequently, please take notice that commencing from *Tuesday 12th May, 2020*, we shall no longer be in a position to serve all those who are indebted to us. While this decision is very painful to us, we have found it unavoidable. The need to recover outstanding payments has become very urgent as other members of the value chain on whose behalf we also act require funds to be able to continue to remain in their core business of generating and transmitting electricity” the announcement stated.