The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged for the settlement of the N42 billion electricity debt owed by the Nigerian Army, following the disconnection of various Army barracks and cantonments by power distribution companies.
Lagbaja expressed concerns over the repercussions of the power outages in barracks, including the decomposition of corpses in Army mortuaries, leading to protests by the owners of the deceased.
During his visit to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu in Abuja, Lagbaja appealed for the debt to be restructured, emphasizing the urgent need to address the blackout situation in Army formations.
He highlighted the security implications of the blackouts in army barracks and cantonments.
In response, Adelabu assured the Nigerian Army of his commitment to engage with power distribution companies to alleviate the burden of the electricity debt.
However, he emphasized that the debt could not be waived and would require a structured repayment plan.
Adelabu also acknowledged broader challenges within the power sector, including infrastructure vandalism, inefficiencies in billing, and gas supply shortages.
He pledged support for the installation of alternative power sources such as solar PVs and Battery Energy Storage Systems in army barracks and cantonments.
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The issue of outstanding electricity debts extends beyond the military, with numerous government agencies and departments also owing substantial amounts to power distribution companies.
A recent report indicated that 86 ministries, agencies, and departments owed the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company N47 billion, with notable entities such as the Presidential Villa and the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory among the debtors.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company threatened to disconnect defaulting MDAs if they failed to settle their debts within ten days.
