By Anthony Isaac
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has urged customers to exercise patient as DisCos were waiting for the Federal Government to come out with the arrangement on the two months free electricity supply to Nigerians.
ANED in a statement in Abuja explained that the Federal Government and the National Assembly which is championing the policy would bear the cost of the supply.
But the Federal Government has said no decision on the policy has been taken.
The Ministry of Power in its official Twitter handle explained that when a decision is taken, consumers would be informed.
ANED’s Executive Director (Research & Advocacy), Barr Sunday Oduntan said the DisCos fully support government effort in providing palliatives to cushion to he economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oduntan said: “The energy to be supplied for the 2 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;
“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.
“Regardless, we laud Mr. President, members of his government and the National Assembly for this initiative”.
He we explained that the clarification became necessary due to questions that have arisen around how the cost that will accumulate will be absorbed in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The Ministry of Power Twitted “Please Note: NO DECISION has been taken by the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with FREE ELECTRICITY for 2 months. If and when that becomes a reality, it shall be announced officially.
Be rest assured that FG is exploring ways to ameliorate any hardship on Nigerians”.
