The Electricity Distribution Companies DisCos have come out to clarify that the two months free electricity is not coming from them but rather the Federal government. The association had released a statement saying it agrees with the proposition by the National Assembly for a Stimulus bill that will provide Nigerians with two months free electricity during the Coronaviru pandemic.
In a chat with TVC on Thursday morning, the Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors ANED, Sunday Oduntan, said the proposed two months free electricity would only be effective if the Federal government pays for the services rendered by stakeholders in the power industry.
As patriotic Nigerians and a responsible industry, considering what is going on all over the world, we feel that we must also key into anything the Federal government is trying to do to ameliorate issues. Let me start by making it clear here that the initiative is that of the National Assembly and the Federal government. They are working out the details. Our statement is a statement of support, of intention that we back them up, we support it.
It is important for me to say this. The energy to be supplied for the two months is not free from the DisCos but is being paid for by the Federal government. So the ability of the DisCos to go forward with this is subject to the Stimulus package being passed by the National Assembly and when it is signed into law by Mr President.” he said
When asked when the free electricity supply would kick off, Oduntan replied
”It is not kicking off this week. It is not kicking off immediately. We have to wait for the National Assembly next week. That directive would have to come from the Federal government. They are the ones that will pick up the bills. Not that they are going to pay us but I am saying that the cost of energy comes from top to bottom. You have to think about the gas suppliers, the GenCos and all the way through to the DisCos ”.
