The house of representatives has insisted that the proposed
free electricity for Nigerians be implemented to cushion the effect of the
COVID-19 pandemic on citizens.
The DisCos had announced that they were working with the
federal government to provide free two-month electricity as palliative to
Nigerians.
But the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said such a
proposal is not feasible.
In a statement on Thursday, Benjamin Kalu, spokesperson of
the house, said poor citizens should not be deprived of free power supply
because it will benefit the rich who are in the minority.
“It is not in doubt that the economic conditions occasioned
by the pandemic has made it harder for low-income customers and businesses to
pay their electricity bills, threatening them with disconnection,” he said.
“The call by the House for free electricity for Nigerians is
borne of a realization that similar measures have become necessary to alleviate
the suffering of Nigerians as we try to battle and emerge from this pandemic.
“We therefore maintain that it is unconscionable to the over
100 million low and middle income earners in Nigeria whose income has been
affected by the pandemic, to deprive them of this electricity tariff reprieve
for fear that it would benefit the rich who do not constitute up to 10% of
Nigeria’s population. It amounts to a disturbing case of punishing the majority
for the sake of the few.
“We must therefore consider the example of other nations,
including Ghana which innovated ways to absorb the electricity tariffs of all
lifeline customers (persons who consume zero to 50 kilowatts-hours a month) and
provide a 50% relief for higher income residential and commercial customers.
“We are faced with unprecedented times in the history of
Nigeria and it behooves a responsible federal government to innovate ways to
alleviate the suffering of people.”
Kalu said the government and stakeholders in the power
sector need to explore creative solutions to make the proposed free electricity
available to Nigerians.
He said the house of representatives remains committed to
ensuring the welfare of Nigerians, especially vulnerable households.
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