The management of Kaduna Electric on Friday called on Churches and Mosques in its franchise States of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara to pay their electricity bills just like other citizens do.
Head, Corporate Communications, Kaduna Electric, AbdulAzeez Abdullahi, who stated this in a statement added that, failure of any identified Church or Mosques owing the company would lead to disconnection.
According to him, the clarification becomes necessary in the wake of erroneous impressions being held in some quarters that, Churches/Mosques and other faith-based institutions are exempted from paying electricity bills which he added has lately resulted in unnecessary bickering and heightening of ethno-religious tension.
In his words, “Management of Kaduna Electric wishes to once again draw the attention of religious leaders (Imans and Pastors), their faithful and the entire citizens in its franchise that places of worship – Mosques, Churches and other religious institutions are obligated like other electricity users to pay their electricity bills every month.
“This erroneous position being held by some people is far from the position of the law and reality of the situation.
“We wish to make it clear that as a Distribution Company, we have an obligation to remit to the market, the naira equivalent of the energy supplied to us every month.
“Consequently, we urge all faith-based organizations and institutions to ensure that their electricity bills are settled as at when due to avoid disconnection of such supply. This is the only way we can guaranteed sustainability and efficiency in service delivery.”
The company’s image maker also appealed to the leadership of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States to educate their followers in this regard in the interest of peaceful and harmonious relationship.
He however assured all the company’s valued customers and other stakeholders alike of its unwavering commitment to service excellence.