The Federal House of Representatives has disclosed that a stimulus bill is being considered that would guarantee that Nigerian citizens get free supply of electricity for two months to alleviate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said this on Saturday, April 4th, 2020, adding that the proposed bill would also help to boost the country’s economy, particularly the informal sector, as Nigeria gears up for economic rebound after the coronavirus pandemic.

Gbajabiamila said the House would consider the second “Stimulus Bill” immediately after reconvening from its ongoing recess, which was declared due to COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release on Saturday, April 4th, 2020, April 7th was initially slated for its resumption, but would be extended by a week, in compliance with Federal Government’s two-week stay-at-home order to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

Gbajabiamila made a speech at the National Assembly on Saturday, during a meeting between the National Assembly leadership and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze; amongst others.

Gbajabiamila said that Nigeria could not afford to be unprepared to tackle the adverse effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) on its economy.

He said,

The issue of electricity, you’ll agree, because the minister did say that she had been inundated by the public, just as we had, on several suggestions and ideas and I am almost a 100 per cent sure that, from those ideas will be the issue of some kind of shelter, as far as electricity is concerned.

It is one thing that will touch every household. As I said earlier, when we engaged, I discussed with the electricity distribution companies to package whatever they would require. If the government can give them, for us to allow for two months free electricity for Nigerians, they would be able to guarantee it.

We have the figures. I think we should look very seriously into that as part of our package for economic stimulus, because stimulus means something that will stimulate the economy. When you are stimulating the economy, most of it will come from the informal sector.

When you are saving people their electricity and the fact that they now have stable electricity for two months, you are also saving the monies that would go into the payment of those bills at least for two months.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.