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In what seems like a retaliatory action, the management of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) has disconnected the power supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other government-owned offices over debts amounting to 2.9 billion naira.
The move comes on the heels of the decision of the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) to seal off KAEDCO's headquarters on the morning of Friday, August 2, 2024, over unpaid taxes exceeding 600 million naira
The Executive Chairman of the KADIRS, Jerry Adams, who led the operation, explained that the service secured a court order granting it power to immediately close and take over KAEDCO's property until the company settled all unpaid taxes.
However, in a move that can be described as a tit-for-tat, the Kaduna Electric cut off power supply to Kaduna Government House and other state government facilities.
KAEDCO justifies action
Disclosing the development on Friday, a spokesman for the Disco, AbdulAzeez Abdullahi, revealed attempts by his company to resolve the issue, including consultations with the Kaduna State government officials, before issuing a disconnection notice on July 21.
He noted further that the disconnection came after several failed attempts to address the payment issue which included consultations with state officials.
According to Abdullahi, the move reflected KAEDCO's need to meet its financial obligations against broader challenges facing the electricity sector.
The company stressed that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted.
It said though a recent payment of ₦256,920,963.88 was made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State Government’s debt remains significantly high.
“This payment, though substantial, has not been enough to clear the accumulated arrears,” it said.