PHCN, Port Harcourt Distribution Zone, on Wednesday threatened to disconnect power supply to the Port Harcourt International Airport over its unpaid bill.

PHCN”s Zonal Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Emma Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was owing N7.4million at the airport.

Anene, who said the bill covered between June 2008 and May 2010, added that the airport would be disconnected on Aug. 24 if FAAN failed to pay up. He recalled that FAAN at a meeting held with the management of the airport in May pledged to pay the debt in two installments.

The spokesman lamented that nothing had been paid so far, adding that PHCN was now expected to meet its financial obligations from generated revenue.

“ We appeal that full payment of the debt owed our company be made on or before Aug. 24, this year, failing which we may be constrained to put the airport under disconnection with all the associated costs for reconnection,” he said.

He said PHCN was aware of the security implication of its decision to disconnect electricity supply to the airport and had written Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers as well as all security agencies. Responding to the threat, FAAN admitted owing PHCN, noting however that it was also faced with some challenges it was trying to tackle.

Mr Victor Arisa, FAAN”s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, told NAN on Wednesday that many airlines were owing the Authority. “ We will pay the bill but we have challenges.

There are processes involved in collecting revenue and sending same to different stations to pay bills. We will not owe PHCN and we have told them that we will pay the bill as soon as we get the money,” he said.