EKEDC throws National Theatre into darkness over N9m unpaid bills

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc. (EKEDC) yesterday confirmed that electricity supply to the National Arts Theatre in Lagos was disconnected for refusal to pay over N9 million owed.

The General Manger, Media Communications of EKEDC, Mr. Idemudia Godwin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the complex was disconnected after several appeals and demand notices went unheeded. According to him, the debt is an accumulation of unpaid bills over time.

“We don’t disconnect without serving notice. Besides, we recently ran a newspaper advertisement informing all EKEDC debtors of Ministries and Departmental Agencies (MDAs) of our intention to disconnect them. We have commenced disconnection of all historic debtors, including residential, commercial, industrial and government establishments within our network,’’ he said.

The EKEDC spokesman said the astronomical indebtedness by some customers was taking its toll on the company, adding that it is seriously impacting negatively on the entire value chain in the power sector equation.

According to him, only 25 per cent of the debt actually belongs to DISCOs, the rest is for other companies in the value chain— generating companies, bulk traders, gas suppliers, among others.

An official of the National Art Theatre confirmed that the theatre’s power supply was disconnected last week. The disconnection has affected business activities around the complex.