COVID-19: Shehu Sani asks FG to suspend electricity bill, release prisoners

Shehu Sani, former Kaduna central senator, has asked the federal government to consider suspending electricity bill and to decongest prisons over COVID-19 lockdown.

Sani made the request in a statement on measures that should be taken to cushion the socio-economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic on citizens.

Describing the government’s stay-at-home order as an inevitable strategy towards containing the virus, the former lawmaker warned that failure to provide essential items for poor families could result in a revolt against the system.

“The stay at home order by the Federal and State Governments can only morally right and effective if palliative measures in form of relief materials are provided to cushion the effect of the lockdown,” he said.

“Without providing food and essential items for poor families, the nation will be heading to starvation and social upheavals.

“The stay at home order is an inevitable strategy of containing the spread of the virus but the level of poverty in the country demands that the poor must be assisted and supported to avert open disobedience.

“FG should consider the following measures: release of prisoners to decongest the prison, suspension of payment of rents, suspension of payment of electricity and water bills.

“…Suspension of payment of loans and mortgage payment. Half payment of Tuition fees for all categories of students in public and private schools.”

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the country has so far recorded 97 coronavirus cases.