Niger Gov. pays off backlog of debt owed AEDC

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state government has paid off backlog of debts owed by government agencies to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to the sum of N600 million.
This was made known by the state Head of Service, Abubakar Salisu during a post exco press briefing at the government house galaxy in Minna.
He explained that the state was owing AEDC N1.3 billion in which the immediate past government paid N500 million hence the present administration of the governor Muhammad Umar Bago has paid off the remaining N600 million as legacy debt.
Abubakar salisu further listed the government agencies to include hospitals, Water boards, public schools among other government agencies to to ensure effective and efficient power supply that will be available for all.
Similarly, the commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo emphasized that due to the political will of the present administration has reduced the overdraft in payment of monthly salaries from N3.9 billion to N2 billion assured to exit the menace.
Jantabo maintained that efforts are being made to blocked the leakages in order to stabilized the 25 local government in the payment of monthly salaries and execution of projects to the benefit of the citizens.
He reiterated the commitment of governor Mohammed Umar Bago in realizing the construction of 5 kilometer roads in the entire 25 local government councils of Niger state.
The commissioner added that plans are underway to ensure payment of the percentage salary payment in 2020 when the past administration gave partial autonomy to the local governments in the state.