By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has emphasised that palaces of worship were obligated to pay bills of electricity they consume the same way other consumers do.
This is contained in a statement issued Friday by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi.
According to it, “The Management of Kaduna Electric wishes to once again draw the attention of religious leaders, Imans and Pastors, their faithful and the entire citizens that places of worship, Mosques and Churches and other religious institutions are obligated like other electricity users to pay their electricity bills every month.”
Kaduna Electric 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.
Stressing that the clarification became “necessary in the wake of erroneous impression being held in some quarters that Mosques, Churches and other faith-based institutions were exempted from paying electricity bill,” Abdullahi said lately, it often resulted in unnecessary bickering and heightening of ethno-religious tension.
“We wish to make it clear that as a Distribution Company, we have an obligation to remit the naira equivalent of the energy supplied to us every month.
The company urged all faith-based organisations and institutions, to ensure that their electricity bills are settled as at when due to avoid disconnection of such supply, adding that it is the only way we can guarantee sustainability and efficiency in service delivery.
It also assured all valued customers and other stakeholders alike of their unwavering commitment to excellent service.
