The Power Holding Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) in Cross River State has disconnected the state-owned multi-million naira water board office from the electricity grid.
The water board is said to also supply water to government establishments, individuals and corporate organizations in the state.
DAILY POST gathered that the water board was shut off the state power grid because it owed the PHEDC over N175m and the last payment of N15m was made in February 2019.
Following the non-payment of electricity bills for over eight months, the company disconnected the water company.
The memorandum of understanding signed between the Cross River State Government and PHEDC was for N15m to be paid monthly.
Unfortunately, the state government according to a reliable source from the Water Board office have not paid for months as the board could not generate such money.
Confirming the report, the Manager Corporate Communications, PHEDC, John Onyi told our reporter on Monday, “The Water Board have five accounts and the total amounts owed us is N175m and the last money (N15m) was paid on February 2019.
“We have had a series of meetings, they even came to our office, we engaged them on the need for them to pay for the electricity consumed but they have refused to pay hence we disconnected them.
“They were disconnected on the last week of October 2019 and we have pleaded with them to pay because the last payment from them was in February and ever since they have not paid us.
“We, as a company, we bought electricity from the transmission company of Nigeria, so we are finding it difficult to operate as well. As at the close of business last October in 2019, the total indebtedness is over N175m and that was why we disconnected them
“We are pleading with government and her agencies and other corporate organizations and individuals who owe us to pay without further delay.
