By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), has raised the alarm over what it described as an excessive, unjustifiable and unsustainable electricity bill issued by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), warning that the development threatens the hospital’s ability to deliver essential healthcare services.
The position of the hospital was made known during a press briefing in Abakaliki on Wednesday, where the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh, was represented by the Director of Administration, Mr. Calistus Azubike Okonkwo.
AE-FUTHA disclosed that it was served with an electricity bill of ₦107,006,620.72 for December 2025 alone, describing the amount as unprecedented for a public tertiary health institution.
“This represents an outrageous, unjustifiable and unsustainable escalation in electricity charges and poses a grave threat to the sustainability of essential healthcare services provided by the hospital,” the management stated.
According to the hospital, a review of its electricity bills over the past 12 months revealed a disturbing upward trend, rising from ₦26.5 million in January to ₦71.5 million in November, before surging to ₦107 million in December, which it described as “grossly disproportionate and difficult to justify.”
Management noted that in 2023 and 2024, the hospital’s monthly electricity bills were consistently below ₦20 million, adding that despite the steady rise in tariffs, AE-FUTHA had continued to meet its obligations in good faith to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
However, the hospital warned that the December bill had pushed it to the brink.
“If this trend continues unchecked, AE-FUTHA risks paying over ₦1 billion annually on electricity bills alone, which is clearly unsustainable for a public tertiary health institution,” the statement read.
AE-FUTHA also raised concerns over the billing methodology, particularly the high charges associated with unmetered accounts, and demanded an urgent review of EEDC’s billing system.
“The magnitude of the December bill raises serious questions about the accuracy and transparency of the billing, especially as hospital activities were significantly reduced during the period,” management said.
The hospital recalled that services were largely scaled down following industrial actions by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), which paralyzed many departments and reduced overall energy consumption.
“Surprisingly, despite this marked reduction in hospital activities, our electricity bill jumped from ₦71.5 million in November to ₦107 million in December,” the management added.
Stressing the critical nature of its operations, AEFUTHA stressed that it is a life-saving institution that must operate round the clock.
“AE-FUTHA operates critical facilities including intensive care units, neonatal units, operating theatres, laboratories and diagnostic services. Any disruption in power supply or financial strangulation caused by excessive billing directly endangers lives,” the statement warned.
Adding ” AE-FUTHA 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.
“The Management of AE-FUTHA therefore calls on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC),relevant regulatory agencies, the Government of Ebonyi State,the Federal Ministry of Power,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.
AE-FUTHA assured the public of its commitment to accountability, transparency and quality healthcare delivery, noting that the press briefing was convened in the public interest to prevent exorbitant utility costs from crippling essential health services meant for the masses.