The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disconnected the Kaduna Government House from the power grid due to an outstanding debt of N2.9 billion.

The company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, on Friday revealed that the government house had failed to pay for electricity consumed over seven months.

The disconnection comes after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations. According to Abdullahi, the outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to N1.166 billion, bringing the total debt to N2.943 billion.

Despite a recent payment of N256 million made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State Government’s debt remains significantly high, the statement said.

Abdullahi added that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted.

“Kaduna Electric’s decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials. In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have maintained their accounts in good standing, regularly meeting their electricity payment obligations and other repayment obligations with Kaduna Electric.

“A disconnection notice was formally issued on July 21, 2024, and was received by the Office of the Governor on July 22, 2024. The move reflects the company’s need to meet its own financial obligations amidst the broader challenges facing the electricity sector,” he added.

The statement said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had previously intervened in the Disco, installing an Administrator and Special Board to oversee the company during its transitional period. It added that the current management has honoured the commitment to pay N20 million monthly, including statutory monthly tax payments, since taking over.