Covid-19 Palliative: FG, NASS To Pay Full Electricity Bill For Two-Months

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the 9th National Assembly will together sponsor for two months Electricity bills of citizens as part of its palliative to Nigerians during the total lockdown in states.

The development which was announced on Thursday was contained in a statement dated Wednesday, April 8 by the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors.

The power firms noted that the National Assembly and Federal Government are making efforts to provide free electricity for its subscribers for two months as a palliative for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Confirming the report, the Executive Director and spokesperson for ANED, Mr Sunday Oduntan, said, “The energy to be supplied for the two months is not free from the Discos but is being paid for by the Federal Government in partnership with the National Assembly.”

“As such, the ability for the Discos to go forward is subject to the stimulus package being passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by Mr President.”

He added, “While this palliative seeks to mitigate the economic challenges that Nigerians are being subjected to during this COVID-19 period, it is our hope that we not lose sight of the no-cost reflective tariff challenges that the Discos continue to suffer under.”

Responding to claims that power supply will be free for two months, Mr Oduntan said the assertion is not true that bill would be fully paid by the Federal Government and the National Assembly.

He, however, noted that no time-specific yet as to when to Nigerians will start enjoying the free supply until the National Assembly finish their discussion with the Federal Government.