ANED makes u-turn on free electricity, says FG to pay

The proposed two months free electricity supply to customers may not be entirely free as the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) said the Federal Government will pay for the electricity.

The Executive Director, Research and Advocacy and spokesman of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, the umbrella body of the DISCOs, Sunday Oduntan, who made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja, said the power to be supplied would not be free and that it will be paid for.

ANED, the umbrella body of all the electricity distribution companies, had in an earlier statement noted that it recognises the challenging effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economic and daily lives of our customers, adding that in fulfilment of its commitment to the nation, align itself with the efforts of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive to mitigate the hardships that are currently being borne by its customers and other citizens all over the country.

According to Oduntan, “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.”