N21bn MDA Debt, EKEDC Request National Assembly Intervention

Eko Electric Distribution Company (EKEDC) is requesting National Assembly intervention in the debt owed to the company by some government agencies which is affecting their efficiency and productivity.

Managing Director of EKEDC, Adeoye Fadebiyi, explained that the money owed is impeding the company’s efforts to invest in infrastructure upgrade to improve power supply.

“Our prayer is that this committee will intervene on the repayment of this debt owed over the years by the MDAs,” Fadeyibi said.

“The biggest threat to our operations remains vandals and customers who illegitimately connect to the lines causing revenue loss.

Prosecution of these types of cases is often prolonged and difficult to conclude because of the technical expertise required by the bench,” he added.

Fadeyibi also called for legislation against energy theft and the establishment of electricity special courts to try offenders in the country, he added that a policy framework should be implemented to address illegal independent power producers.

The Senate Committee added that there is a need to repay this debt because EKEDC has thousands of Nigerians as employees and the company is providing a critical service which is electricity.

“We will also be looking at the issue of unauthorized persons carrying out electrical installation duties in the country because it is creating problems for the power sector,” they said.