Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO) has disclosed that the estimated debt accumulation from military formations within its network is about N600 million.
Managing Director of the company, Oladele Amoda, stated that about 60 per cent of the debt was being owed by the army, while about 30 and 10 per cent respectively, are shared by the Navy and Airforce.
Amoda revealed that the company is planning to install bulk pre-paid meters in all military and other security agencies’ barracks within its operational territory. He added that the installation of the pre-paid meters would totally eliminate every form of controversy regarding the accuracy of electricity bills in the barracks.
He relayed his dissatisfaction over the constant harassment of the company’s staff by the military in the performance of their legitimate duties. He said such would not augur well for the promotion of military-civil relations, which the military high echelon has been canvassing in recent time.
The director noted that since the distribution company paid for energy received from the grid, no segment of customers can be allowed not to pay, as no business can thrive when services rendered are not paid for by its patrons. He also appealed to all military formations and MDA’s to make payment of electricity bills a priority on the list of their expenditure.
He expressed optimism that with the signing of the budget for the current financial year, many government establishments would offset their huge electricity bills.
He further appealed to military personnel having private or official quarters outside the barracks to pay for electricity consumed in such premises, instead of evading payments by tagging such premises as military zone