Despite expressly approving the sum of N500 Billion as palliative for Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the House of Representatives yesterday also raised concern over smooth implementation of the funds
In passing the Bill , the lawmakers suspended their relevant rules, debated and passed the Bill in record time.
Recall that on Wednesday, president Tinubu had written the lawmakers requesting the sourcing of the N500 billion from the 2022 supplementary appropriation
During consideration yesterday, members raised concern on the need to ensure that the funds were judiciously deployed for the sole purpose as palliatives
The bill titled: “Authorisation of the issuance of N500billion from the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations of N819.54billion is for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Leader of the House Hon. Julius Ihonvbere in his lead debate commended President Tinubu for the bold steps in removing fuel subsidy
He further moved a motion for the suspension of Order 12(3) to enable the House take the second and third reading of the Bill.
He noted that the monster called subsidy had ruined the Nigerian economy with few persons benefitting from the humongous funds spent by the federal government
According to him, President Tinubu’s request to cushion effects of subsidy removal had become necessary , while appealing to his colleagues to support the Bill irrespective of party membership
Debating the bill, the lawmakers were vehement on ensuring proper implementation this time, as past experiences showed palliatives don’t get to targeted vulnerable persons in the society
They also noted that in the past budgeted funds approved by the National Assembly had suffered diversion from the purpose they were meant for.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Hon Beni Lar, Hon Akume, Hon Osoba, spoke in unison on the need to ensure the palliatives are well disbursed
Some of the recommendations.were.am ad-hoc committee be set up to monitor implementation, while others in this group urged that a thorough oversight of the disbursement be carried out sought by the lawmakers
The members also sought details of funds of the palliatives and how the Federal Government intends to identify authentic and vulnerable beneficiaries, who must not be Nigerian workers in government services alone
For Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who warned against merely giving out handouts to poor Nigerians without solving the problems, noted that this palliative must ensure living wages and not minimum to Nigerians, such as the reduction of charges on Nigerians in sectors like education, food, power bills, transportation prices, provide affordable healthcare etc. so that Nigerians can actually live responsibly.
Comments
0 comment