N949m electricity debt: Disco threatens to disconnect Aminu Kano Hospital

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has warned the management of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), to settle the N949.88million debts being owed by the hospital as of August ending or be ready for disconnection.

KEDCO issued the threat in a statement by its Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Sani Bala on Monday in Kano.

The company said the hospital should settle its N108.95 million bill for the month of August in full within 10 working days.

According to Bala, the hospital has an outstanding liability of N949.88 million as of August, and it is expected to settle its August bill of N108.95 million in full within 10 working days or the company will decide on its next action.

He frowned at the huge debts recorded on the electricity consumed, saying, “no payment has been made for electricity consumed at the residential complex in spite of its negative impact on service delivery and KEDCO’s operations”.

He recalled that the KEDCO in a letter dated Aug. 12, and signed by the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Muhammad Aminu, had notified the AKTH of its plans to withdraw electricity services from staff quarters and non-essential areas due to partial settlement of bills.

He however assured the public that electricity supply to health facilities especially those offering critical and life-saving services, would remain a top priority

He also assured that the KEDCO remain committed to providing uninterrupted electricity to the hospital as a foremost health institution while appealing for its cooperation on the separation exercise.

Bala further explained that electricity had since been restored to the AKTH after an ongoing process to separate the main hospital campus and health facilities from the staff quarters and residential complex.

”The main campus and health facilities are connected to top-priority 33KVA Zaria Road feeder to enjoy average of 22 hours of daily supply under Band A services.

”However, the AKTH management has continued to insist that staff quarters and residential homes remain on the same feeder as hospital and this has continue to poses repeated risks to the stability and reliability of supply,” he said.

The head of corporate communication noted that several attempts to separate the two lines were unsuccessful due to management’s resistance and eventually resulted in a severe fault that caused recent outage.

He added that to safeguard uninterrupted supply to the hospital, the company proceeded with separation of the two supply lines. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)