Electricity distribution companies in Nigeria have lamented that no fewer than 20 of the 36 state governments in the country have refused to pay their electricity bills.
The Discos said some states owe electricity bills consumed by the state house or the secretariat.
The Executive Director of Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, while speaking with our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Monday, said most government agencies were used to free electricity before privatisation, saying they have refused to adjust since the sector was privatised.
Oduntan, the spokesman of the Discos, recalled that the Aso Rock villa owed electricity bills before President Bola Tinubu ordered that it be paid.
“But does it have to get to the President for people that work there to know that they have to pay their bill? We shouldn’t get to the point where we have to threaten a state government or a state house, a ministry, a department or an agency with disconnection,” he stated
Oduntan declared, “If you look at all our states right now, at least 20 states are seen to be owing electricity bills in either the government house or MDAs.”
Oduntan regretted that when the Discos attempted to recover the debts from the state governments, they would have their offices sealed over claims of unpaid taxes to the states.
“When the Discos now go to demand for money to be paid, the next day they (government agents) will go and seal off the Discos’ offices, saying they’re owing them some taxes,” he noted.
The spokesman advised Discos to always pay their taxes, but warned that states should not be mischievous.
