According to distribution companies (DISCOs), Ikeja Electric Plc and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the plan for Nigerians to enjoy free electricity for two months is only a proposal undergoing review.
The distribution companies made the clarification on Thursday.
In a statement, Ikeja Electric Plc said that “The management of lkeja Electric Pic wishes to state that it fully supports the ongoing efforts of the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Federal Government, to consider a proposal on the possibility of providing free electricity for two months as part of COVID-19 palliative for customers.
“However, it is important to point out that at the moment, it is only a proposal and is still undergoing stakeholder reviews on its feasibility. It has not been approved by the Government as a stimulus package or palliative.
“As such, the ability of the DISCOs to implement this proposed palliative is subject to the stimulus package being passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by Mr President.
“We urge all our customers to continue to pay their utility bills as usual, while on our part, we shall continue to serve and put our customers first during this difficult period.”
In a similar reactionary statement, IBEDC stated that “the two months free electricity bill is still at proposal stage. It is not signed into law yet as such is not binding on DISCOs for now.”
IBEDC added that “if the palliative measure is approved, monies paid by customers (prepaid and postpaid) during the agreed two months will be credited to customers account to be utilised for future bills or energy units.”
Recall that the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), in a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Mr Sunday Oduntan, on Thursday said the 11 DISCOs threw their weight behind the proposal even as they expressed commitment to ensuring efficient supply during the period.
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