Overdue bill of ₦472 million, EKEDC cuts off power to UNILAG, causing a blackout.

UNILAG

The community was given assurances by the university administration that action was being taken to address the problem.

After being cut off from the national power grid by the Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is currently experiencing a complete blackout.

Tuesday, August 27, saw the disconnections, which occurred amid a money dispute between the institution and the power company over an outstanding electricity bill of ₦472 million.

The university administration voiced its worries and asked for the school community’s understanding during this difficult time in a statement that was made public on Wednesday.

The management claims that despite UNILAG having just paid EKEDC ₦180 million, the payment was abruptly stopped.

The academic institution has been battling

the burden on finances caused by EKEDC’s choice to reclassify it from “Band B” to “Band A” under its tariff plan.

The university’s monthly electricity price increased by almost twice as a result of this transition, from about ₦150 million to roughly ₦300 million as of June. The abrupt rise has made it extremely difficult for the university to pay its debts.

UNILAG’s request to move to Band B
The management of UNILAG stated that it had discussed the excessive tariffs with EKEDC and had always favoured sticking with the less expensive Band B pricing.

“We made it clear to EKEDC that the university would not be able to pay anything more than ₦180 million monthly,” the statement continued.

EKEDC sent a bill despite the university’s efforts to bargain and recent payment for July, amounting to around ₦472 million, worsening the institution’s financial difficulties.

Staff and students are in a dangerous scenario as a result of the institution having to limit power supplies across campus due to the abrupt cutoff.

The community was reassured by the university administration that action was being taken to address the problem.