Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, Niger Zone, has revealed that it loses a staggering N1.6 billion monthly due to non-payment of electricity bills by consumers in Niger State.
The AEDC Managing Director, Engr Chijioke Okwuokenye, made this known during a media parley with journalists in Minna, Niger State.
He explained that AEDC is expected to collect N2.5 billion in monthly revenue but only manages to collect N850 million.
Against this backdrop, he noted, “The AEDC welcomes the establishment of the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission. It is a step in the right direction. The company hopes that the new regulatory body will help address the challenges facing the electricity sector in the state.”
Earlier, the Chief Business Officer, Niger Zone, Engr Samuel Odekina, disclosed that this loss in revenue has led to various challenges, including energy theft, chronic unwillingness to pay bills, and community resistance to infrastructure upgrades, among others, in the state.
According to him, despite these challenges, AEDC remains committed to providing a stable electricity supply to its customers and has taken steps to address the issues, including metering and infrastructure upgrades.
He explained that the company has installed 1,150 meters and is in the process of replacing 8,000 more, while also providing mass refunds to customers who paid for meters but did not receive them.
“As part of our interventions to improve power supply, AEDC has also upgraded infrastructure, including the commissioning of a 500 KVA substation in Minna and the rehabilitation of an 11 KVA transformer in Bida, 500 KVA at Morris and 11 KVA at Zarumai, areas of Minna, among others,” he revealed.
Odekina then called on electricity consumers in the state to ensure timely payment of their bills to enable the company to discharge its duties effectively and efficiently.
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