AE-FUTHA decries outrageous billing of over N107M on December by EEDC

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Management of the Alex Ekwueme federal University Teaching hospital Abakaliki, AE-FUTHA, on Wednesday lamented the arbitrary billing of over one hundred and seven million naira only on December alone by the Enugu Electricity Distribution company, EEDC.

The Director of Administration, Calistus Azubike Okonkwo who spoke on behalf of the AEFUTHA management made this known, while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, called for the downward review of the outrageous billing by the EEDC.

The Management, however called on; The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Relevant regulatory agencies, The Government of Ebonyi State, The Federal Ministry of Power

Also, The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and Other concerned authorities to urgently intervene by reviewing the hospital’s tariff classification, auditing the billing system, and ensuring the adoption of a fair, transparent, and sustainable electricity tariff befitting a public tertiary healthcare institution. 

“The hospital also appeals for a downward review of its monthly electricity bill to less than ₦20 million, in line with historical billing patterns.

Furthermore, Management appeals for a waiver on outstanding arrears, while reaffirming its commitment to promptly settle all verified bills as and when due going forward.

According to them: “In December 2025, AEFUTHA was served with an electricity bill of One Hundred and Seven Million, Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Naira, Seventy-Two Kobo (₦107,006,620.72) for a single billing cycle. 

“This represents an unprecedented escalation in electricity charges and poses a grave threat to the sustainability of essential healthcare services provided by the hospital.

The Nations News reports that a review of the hospital’s electricity billing pattern over the past twelve (12) months reveals a disturbing and consistent upward trajectory.

“Bills issued by EEDC increased from ₦26.5 million in January to ₦71.5 million in November, before surging to ₦107 million in December (300% increase in the bill). Notably, in 2023 and 2024, AEFUTHA’s monthly electricity bills were consistently below ₦20 million, making the current charges grossly disproportionate and difficult to justify.

“Since the inception of the current Chief Medical Director, Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh, electricity charges to the hospital have continued to rise steadily. Despite this, hospital management has consistently met its obligations and ensured that payment was made in good faith to guarantee uninterrupted patient care and service delivery.

However, the magnitude of the December bill has reached a breaking point. If this trend continues unchecked, AEFUTHA risks paying over One Billion Naira annually on electricity bills alone. This is clearly unsustainable for a public tertiary health institution whose core mandate includes patient care, training, research, and public health service delivery.

The Management is also deeply concerned about the methodology behind the billing, particularly the high charges associated with unmetered accounts, and hereby demands an immediate review of the accuracy and transparency of EEDC’s billing system as it applies to the hospital.

It is also important to place the December electricity bill in proper context. In October 2025, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) embarked on industrial action, while on 14 November 2025, the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) commenced an indefinite strike. 

As a result of these industrial actions, hospital services and activities were significantly reduced, with many departments paralysed and overall energy consumption expected to be substantially lower during this period.

“Surprisingly, despite this marked reduction in hospital activities, AEFUTHA’s electricity bill jumped from ₦71,547,854.77 in November to ₦107,006,620.72 in December. 

“This outrageous increase raises serious questions about the basis upon which EEDC arrived at the tariff, especially in the face of reduced operations and lower electricity consumption within the hospital.

It is important to emphasize that AEFUTHA is a life-saving institution. The hospital operates critical facilities that must function round-the-clock, including intensive care units, neonatal units, operating theatres, diagnostic and laboratory services. 

“Any disruption in power supply or financial strangulation caused by excessive billing directly endangers lives. Health is an essential service, and lives lost due to power failure cannot be restored.

“AEFUTHA is a non-profit public health institution, willing and committed to paying fair and verifiable utility bills. However, bills of this magnitude are beyond the hospital’s capacity to sustain without compromising service delivery” they stressed.