Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, Rep. Shehu Koko has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to extend her palliatives for COVID-19 to include suspension of payment of electricity and water bills for ordinary Nigerians for two months as a result of dwindling economic fortunes.

The lawmaker who represents Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency (APC) Kebbi State said in a statement in Abuja that while government directives stopping the repayment on trader moni and other soft loans, electricity and water supply was critical to the people.

Koko said “Our country is going through trying times just like the international communities. While we continue to pray for God to come to our rescue, I urge the Federal government to provide basic amenities like water and electricity at no cost especially those at the grassroots level without interruption. “This I believe will go a long way to assist the federal government’s decision to provide relief materials to citizens this period. Though these amenities are private sector driven, we urge the government to intervene and ameliorate the sufferings of the people.” While commending President Buhari’s order to shutdown states mostly infected with the virus for two weeks, he described the action as a step in the right direction.

Koko said the Government should include suspension of payment for basic amenities while calling on Nigerians especially his constituents to adhere to the stay at home order in line with the government’s directive starting Tuesday 31st March. “I will also use this trying period to educate my constituents on the danger of Coronavirus and preventive ways to contain the virus for a better Nigeria,” he said.