The management of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has debunked speculations that the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, had paid for electricity supply consumed by residents during the month of Ramadan, warning customers against disconnection.
Kaduna Electric, in a statement by its Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said the governor only subsidised the amount to be paid for improved power supply during the fasting period with an undisclosed amount of money.
In a statement by Abdullahi, the Kebbi governor had invited the management of Kaduna Electric, led by the Managing Director, Umar Hashidu for a meeting to actualise the plan of delivering improved electricity supply to Kebbi State.
Despite the numerous challenges of poor generation, the Kaduna Electric said it resolved to work with the Kebbi State Government to improve power supply to the state by utilising the Service Based Tariff mechanism introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Authority.
“After a joint analysis of the status of electricity supply for the feeders in Birnin Kebbi, an agreement was reached to improve electricity supply from the previous average of six hours daily to an average of 12 hours daily, with selected feeders grouped into three categories that are allocated 16 hours, 12 hours and eight hours on a daily basis.
“It is pertinent to note that the improvement in electricity supply was supposed to lead to a tariff increase for the customers in Birnin Kebbi in accordance with the definite hours enjoyed. However, the Governor in his magnanimity agreed to partly pay for the differential as a subsidy and support for the Ramadan period,” the statement said.
The governor was also said to have settled all the outstanding debts owed Kaduna Electric for the electricity consumed by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state, while committing to prompt settlement of the monthly bills of the state government going forward.
“Based on the stated facts, we wish to debunk the insinuations making rounds that Kebbi State Government has paid Kaduna Electric for electricity supply in favour of individual customers during the holy month of Ramadan and therefore customers are not expected to pay for the electricity consumed during the period.
“Our esteemed customers in Kebbi State are, therefore, expected to promptly pay for the power they have consumed monthly as has been the case. The bills for the month of February have been distributed, and customers are expected to pay in full to avoid disconnection,” the DisCo warned.
