News

AEDC Issues Deadline To ECOWAS, UN, Nigerian Ministries To Pay N37billion Debts Or Face Disconnection

Published

7 months ago

February 21, 2024

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has given the United Nations’ Abuja liaison office, the Head Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Abuja, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ministry of Power, Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance and over 50 other ministries, departments and agencies 10-day disconnection ultimatum over N37.641 billion outstanding electricity charges debt.

SaharaReporters on Monday reported that the AEDC threatened to disconnect the electricity supply of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, along with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over a total debt of N47.1 billion.

The electricity distribution company said that the Presidential Villa owes the sum of N923,873,150 as an outstanding debt for electricity charges.

the power distribution company said that the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Olatunde Amos, the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), also known as State Security Services (SSS), owe a total of N3,416,204,222 in electricity bill.

In a disconnection notice on Monday, the AEDC listed the outstanding electricity debts of government ministries, departments and agencies as of December 2023.

It gave the MDAs 10 days to comply and pay their debts or risk disconnection and subsequent blackout from February 28, 2024.

The company in the document stated that it was constrained to publish the details of the debts which had lasted for long for the services rendered.

The AEDC stressed that the publication of the unpaid electricity bill became imperative because its “previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not achieved the desired result”.

According to the AEDC, the United Nations Abuja liaison office owes the sum of N107,685,232, while Head ECOWAS owes the sum of N99,773,800 in electricity bill.

The company further stated that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria owes the sum of N1,584,767,584, while Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) owes the sum of N7,573,120,732, and the Ministry of Finance owes the sum of N5,432,741,321, while Chief of Defence Staff – Barracks and Military Formations, Abuja owes N12,001,481,606 in electricity bill.

Other ministries, departments and agencies on the AEDC list are Ministry of Petroleum Resources which owes the sum of N2,129,376,879; Ministry of Education owes N1,817,404,102; Ministry of Health owes N1,187,864,924; Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) owes N846,110,778; Ministry of Justice/Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) owes N815,677,935, while Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) owes N362,387,502.

Also, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) owes the sum of N322,603,596; Ministry of Information owes N302,060,743; Ministry of Trade and Investment owes N281,539,635; Ministry of Interior Affairs owes N268,595,850; Ministry of Works and Housing owes N215,670, 588; Ministry of Foreign Affairs owes N200,297,253; Comptroller General of Custom owes N173,432,325; Ministry of Budget and Planning owes N168,593,410, while Ministry of Agriculture owes the sum of N140,149,183.

The AEDC further stated that Ministry of Communication owes the sum of N124,095,050, while Ministry of Culture and Tourism owes N114,608,811; Ministry of Transport owes N97,773,800; National Security Adviser (NSA) owes N95,904,659; Nigerian Communication Commission owes N95,204,007; Ministry of Mines and Steel Development owes N94,635,258; Ministry of Science and Technology owes N80,509,683, while Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) owes the sum of N78,118,641 in electricity bill.

Others are, Ministry of Power which is said to be owing the sum of N78,029,797, while Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) owes N74,970,206; the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) owes N60,550,254; Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) owes N56,713,906; National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) owes N56,376,179; Ministry of Environment owes N53,187,896; Ministry of Water Resources owes N52,944,694, while Ministry of Women Affairs owes N37,407,828.

Also, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) owes the sum of N35,304,503; Post Master General owes N32,206,182; Director General of the Meteorological Agency owes N31,576,383; National Pension Commission owes N27,164,745; National Social Insurance Trust Fund owes N26,662,698; National Insurance Commission owes N19,006,097 and Local Government – Niger State owes N18,805,733.

The electricity distribution company further listed the Managing Director of World Bank in Abuja as owing the sum of N17,596,613, while Nigeria’s Head of Service owes N17,512,936; National Human Right Commission (NHRC) owes N17,107,834; Ministry of Labour and Employment owes N15,681,999; Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) owes N14,426,249; Public Complaints Commission (PCC) owes N13,723,736, while Ministry of Science and Technology appearing the second time on the list owes N11,997,114.

The company also said that Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is owing the sum of N10,897,135, while Comptroller General of Prison is owing N10,879,284; New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) owes N8,316,065; Local Government – FCT owes N5,415,746; Chief Justice – FCT owes N5,005,748; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) owes N4,455,332, and National Cereals Research Institute owes N3,781,540.

Others are National Immigration Service which is owing the sum of N3,557,729; Comptroller General of Immigration owes N1,517,866; Local Government – Nasarawa owes N2,970,940; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) owes N1,459,542; Ministry of Aviation owes N1,418,984, while Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) owes N1,060,286 in electricity bill.

News

Algeria’s President Tebboune re-elected with 94.65% of votes cast

Published

1 hour ago

September 8, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior

Algeria’s incumbent President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has been re-elected with almost 95 per cent of the vote, the country’s electoral authority ANIE said Sunday.

“Out of 5,630,000 voters recorded, 5,320,000 voted for the independent candidate Abdelmadjid Tebboune, accounting for 94.65 per cent of the vote,” ANIE head Mohamed Charfi told reporters in the capital Algiers.

Tebboune, 78, was heavily favoured to secure a second term in the race against moderate Islamist Abdelaali Hassani, 57, and socialist candidate Youcef Aouchiche, 41.

“The election was marked by broad transparency” and “reflected the electoral maturity of the people”, said Charfi.
But, he did not provide the official turnout rate, which was seen as Tebboune’s major challenge in a vote where his victory was all but certain.
The re-elected president had hoped for a higher turnout than in 2019, the year he was elected amid widely boycotted elections and the Hirak mass pro-democracy protests.
Tebboune was elected at the time amid a record abstention rate of over 60 per cent.

In the early hours of the day, ANIE had announced an “average turnout” rate of 48 per cent, calling it “provisional”, but it did not give a breakdown of the number of voters against those initially registered.

The announcement came three hours behind schedule after the authority said on Saturday evening that it was extending voting by one hour, expecting more voters to show up.

ANIE had also announced an
“average” participation of 26 per cent by 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) — which would have compared to 33 per cent by that time of day in the 2019 elections.

Hassani’s campaign on Sunday said in a statement that ANIE’s provisional turnout was “strange” and denounced attempts to “inflate the results”.

Hassani heads the moderate Islamist party the Movement of Society for Peace and Aouchiche the centre-left Socialist Forces Front.

News

BBnaija Ilebaye drops hint on Angel, Soma’s wedding

Published

2 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior

Former Big Brother Naija reality star, Ilebaye Odiniya, has revealed the date of her colleagues, Angel and Soma’s wedding.

She disclosed that the duo will tie the knots in January next year.

She revealed this in a video message with Angel making the rounds on the internet.

However, the Big Brother Naija ‘All-Stars’ edition winner did not disclose a specific date.

Ilebaye: “We are not supposed to announce it yet, the [Angel and Soma’s] wedding is next year January. Oh my God, I just exposed you guys.”

Angel also flashed her engagement ring on the camera.

recalls that Angel and Soma started dating on the ‘All-Stars’ edition of the Big Brother Naija reality show last year.

The duo revealed that they were in relationships before coming on the show but were ready to sacrifice their relationships for each other.

Their relationship has continued to blossom even after the show despite occasional rumours of their breakup.

News

Shun drug abuse, Lagos commissioner warns pupils as schools resume Monday

Published

3 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior.

Primary and secondary schools in Lagos State will resume for the 2024/2025 academic session on Monday, September 9, 2024.

This is after the students had gone on a long vacation at the end of the 2023/2024 session on July 19, 2024.

In a statelment issued on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, advised the students to avoid vices such as gangsterism, bullying and drug abuse, as he encouraged them to approach the new school year with enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication.

“As we begin the 2024/2025 academic session, I want to extend my warmest welcome and best wishes to every pupil, student, teaching and non-teaching staff, and school leader. This new school session brings fresh opportunities for impactful learning, growth and academic success.

“Dear pupils and students, I encourage you to approach this year with enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication. Take advantage of the resources available to you, ask questions, and seek help when needed.

“Remember, education is the key to unlocking your potential, propelling your wings beyond impossibility, and achieving your life goals. Stay away from vices, gangsterism, bullying and drug abuse,” the statement read.

Alli-Balogun said the new academic session would focus on improving academic outcomes and fostering a safe, inclusive learning environment in Lagos schools.

Addressing teachers and school staff, the commissioner stressed the importance of their passion and expertise in ensuring the success of the students, saying, “Your tireless efforts and commitment to shaping young minds are invaluable. These contributions are always appreciated by our dear Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, through a series of dedicated welfare initiatives for teachers and school personnel.”

To parents and guardians, he sought continued support for their children’s educational journeys, noting that they should “encourage them (children) to ask questions, explore their interests and develop a love for learning.”