A Human Rights and Social Justice Group, The Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians, has mocked the Federal Government, over the proposed N8,000 monthly palliative for 12 million poor Nigerian households.
The group in a statement issued by its Executive Secretary, Francis Odiri in Makurdi Benue State Capital during the weekend, described the FG’s proposed monthly palliative as mockery.
The FG under President Tinubu’s administration, had recently proposed a loan of $500 million to the National Assembly, to be distributed to 12 million poor Nigerian households for six months, to cushion the harsh effect of the fuel subsidy removal on them.
CERON insisted that the said sum which would be given for six months would amount to “a paltry N48,000 which is worth almost nothing in present-day Nigeria,” where the prices of commodities have skyrocketed.
They however urged the government to jettison the idea of giving out the said amount and opt for non-monetary palliative, to make the desired impact on the poor Nigerians.
“The government can opt for other forms of palliative other than cash, that would impact the goods and services that directly affect the lives of the ordinary citizens because the proposed N8,000 is not only too meagre, it amounts to a mockery of the poor.
“But if the government insists on giving out cash, then it should be looking at the equivalent of at least a minimum of $150 monthly for the said beneficiaries.
“If the government cannot do that for the suffering masses then there is no need for that gesture which we all know will not add any kind of value to the living condition of the suffering masses.
“So we advise President Bola Tinubu to sit down with his team of economic advisers and take a critical look at what could be the ideal sharing formula or the best way to impact the lives of the people with the fund because most Nigerians have all expressed disgust at the proposed N8,000 which does not make any economic sense,” the statement said.
However, the group urged the government to ensure accountability in the handling of the fund, warning that “the handling of the fund could set the tone on how Nigerians would perceive the government’s ability to deliver on critical assignments.”
