16 hours Ago By Idowu Abdullahi
Idowu Abdullahi The Management of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research has raised the alarm over the monthly estimated electricity billing brought to the institute by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company. The management described the bill as “humongous”, revealing that the institute received an N218m electricity bill between August and December 2024. This is coming after the electricity company threatened to disconnect the institute’s power over the failure to meet up with the payment due date.
In a memo, sighted by our correspondent, EKEDC said the total bill of the research institute has amounted to N89,351,449.38. The memo which was addressed to NIMR Director General was signed by the EKEDC Business Manager, Ijora District, Sanyaolu Clement.
In the memo titled ‘final notice of disconnection’ with reference number ‘Ref: 236/2305/DM/IJ/2404/2025’, the power distributor threatened that the institute electricity would be disconnected if they fail to N62,447,261 on or before 28th of April 2025. “This is a follow up on our earlier calls to your representative about the expiration of the payment due date which elapsed since 15th of this Month. Sir, be equally informed that your total bill is N89,351,449.
38, out of which, N56,447,261 is your current charge. “The least we are expecting from your organisation is the current charge plus your established payment plan amount (N56,447,261+N6,000,00 = N62,447,261). “This memo serves as the final disconnection notice.
Please note that failure to make payment on or before 28th of April 2025, will result in withdrawal of our services,” it read. But reacting to the memo on Friday during a press briefing at the institute, the NIMR Director-General of Prof John Obafunwa, alleged that it appeared the electricity company was being deliberate in frustrating the institute. He noted that NIMR was getting estimated billing despite repeated demands for meters from EKEDC since he assumed office last year.
Obafunwa expressed dismay that despite erratic power supply in the area, the institute was getting huge electricity bills monthly. The situation, he said, had led to the rationing of power within the institute, stating that plans were in place to install prepaid meters in the offices and staff quarters. The don stated that the lack of electricity at the research center, should the company follow its threat to the latter, would disrupt ongoing laboratory studies, and cause the decay of temperature-sensitive samples and reagents.
“I previously raised some concerns about what I still consider to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate NIMR. And I’m talking about power supply. Because of this so-called Band A, Eko Electricity gave us a bill of almost N49 million for the month of August 2024; N48 million or so for the month of September, N44 million in October 2024.
I don’t know what we are consuming. “I tried several times to explain to the authorities of Eko electricity that we can’t afford to shut down NIMR but it’s like some people don’t seem to get it. They don’t seem to understand the importance of research within society.
“We keep getting estimated bills. And when we approach them, look, let us have a meter so that we can check what you are billing us for, they refuse,” the pathologist said. Obafunwa added, “Two different officials told me, ‘forget it, we won’t give you’.
The meter for NIMR is supposedly located at the Jibowu office or somewhere. And I said, you can’t put a meter in your backyard and be giving us figures. “We’ve written several letters.
I mean several letters to EKo Electric stating this abnormal situation. The only time that the bill went down, it was about N34 million and after that, it went up again. It’s been an average of N44 to N45 million.
“Note that of the so called N89m said to be owed, N52m was for March alone! “The bill that came for April jumped to N52 million. Despite the fact that we’ve been having a lot of power outages. “The installment payment of N6.
7m referred to was in respect of debt inherited by me. “It’s shocking that the second installment of the debt that was paid to EKEDC was never reflected in their bills to us, even when they had privately acknowledged receipt of the money that was paid to them through the Central Bank. “NIMR had written last week to EKEDC to let us discuss the bill and reconcile these outrageous bills but the latter refused.
”Today, we paid over N34m to EKEDC, again asking that we discuss, which they never responded to. “To my consternation EKEDC responded with a disconnection threat!!” I don’t know why some people would think that because we are a federal government agency, we should be swimming in money and feeding their opulence? I don’t understand it and it does not add up,” he said. This is coming four months after the NIMR boss pleaded with the Federal Government to extend the 50 per cent electricity subsidy given to tertiary institutions and government hospitals to the institute.
“I discussed with my former supervising minister (former Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa) for us to be given some considerations with regards to this so called policy of reduction by 50 per cent granted to hospitals and tertiary institutions, for that to be extended to NIMR”, he added. He emphasised that the institute should benefit from the cut, noting that it conducted medical research whose outcomes were mostly used in universities and teaching hospitals. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved.
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