Olaleye Aluko
The House of Representatives has said it is considering a stimulus bill that will ensure that Nigerians get free electricity supply for two months to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila stated this on Saturday, adding that the proposed bill would help in boosting the economy, especially the informal sector, as the country prepares for economic rebound after the coronavirus.
The Speaker said the second “Stimulus Bill” would be considered immediately the House reconvened from its ongoing break, which was declared due to the pandemic.
According to a release on Saturday, the House initially slated its resumption for April 7, but would be extended by one week in compliance with Federal Government’s two-week stay-at-home order to curb COVID-19 spread.
Gbajabiamila spoke at the National Assembly on Saturday during a meeting between the National Assembly leadership and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmad; the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze; among others.
Gbajabiamila said the country could not afford to be unprepared for the effects of 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.”
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On the need by the executive to source for funds in the fight against coronavirus, Gbajabiamila noted that the National Assembly would partner it (the executive) in efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the economy.
“That is why we in the House have directed our committees on Health, Disaster Management and Preparedness and Donor Agencies to talk to the Presidential Task Force, talk to the Minister of Health and the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.
Church donates funds to six states
The Christ Miracle Church Mission Worldwide has donated N4.7m to six state governments to assist them in their efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The CMCM President, Prophet Peter Adebisi, said this at a press briefing in Lagos where he announced the first phase of the cash donations to the six state governments.
The breakdown of the donations showed that Lagos State Government would receive N2m; Ogun State, N1m; Osun State, N750,000; Ekiti State, N500,000 while Oyo and Ondo states would receive N250,000 each.
According to the cleric, coronavirus has become a global health challenge and government must not be left alone to tackle it.
He added that the fight to curb the virus would stretch governments financially if there was no help coming from outside the government circle.
Adebisi said, “God is love and He cannot destroy what he created. He is not a destroyer neither a killer. The coronavirus disease that is killing people today is not made by God; it is man-made.
“We arrived at donation figures based on the record we have on ground, although it is changing from information we are receiving. But from the next phase, by the special grace of God, as He is helping us, we still plan to do more.
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“My message to my country and the world is that Coronavirus is real and people are dying as a result. Government has told us to take personal hygiene serious by washing hands regularly, keep yourself away from crowded area and infected patient. This is no time for merrymaking. This is a good time to pray for the country and its people and we must educate the people around us”
He further said, “Look at what is happening in advance countries with all their scientific breakthroughs in the field of science. That is why I was touched when I saw what Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing in Lagos, to feed the needy. I feel like crying and that’s why our church resolved to donate the little we can to support what the state government is doing. It is laudable. The governor is trying his possible best to stop the spread of the disease in the most populated state in Nigeria.”
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