Tinubu directs payment of Aso Villa’s N342.3m debt to AEDC

President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate payment of Aso Villa’s outstanding electricity bill owed to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

In a statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, both the State House and AEDC have agreed that the outstanding bill is N342.3 million, and not N923.8 million as initially disclosed in a newspaper publication on February 19, 2024.

AEDC had also listed Niger state governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) owing the company.

The DisCo, which gave the debtors 10 days ultimatum to pay their debt totalled or risk disconnection, said 86 government MDAs owe N47.1 billion.

However, according to Onanuga, AEDC later confirmed in a letter that the debt owed by Aso Villa was lower than what was reported in the newspaper after the reconciliation of accounts.

“President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company,” Onanuga said.

“The President’s directive follows the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.

“Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.

“Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.”

Onanuga said Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to follow the example of the presidency by reconciling their accounts with AEDC and paying their electricity bills.