Subsidy

A Lawmaker representing  Degema/Bonny Rivers State at the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo has advised the Federal Government to cease its plan to disburse $800 million to about 50 million Nigerians as a cushion for the effect of the proposed fuel subsidy removal.

He instead that the funds be invested in critical sectors such as education and health that would be beneficial to the majority of Nigerians in the short, medium, and long terms.

Dagogo made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday morning.

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According to him, the Federal Government initiative was well conceived but he doubted that the efficacy of its implementation. The lawmaker is of the opinion that the transparency of the proposed cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians couldn’t be guaranteed.

It can be recall that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, during the week said the FG had secured the sum of $800 million from the World Bank, as part of its post-subsidy palliative plans that would be distributed to 10 million households, which according to her was equivalent to about 50 million Nigerians.

But Dagogo, as part of his Easter Message, faulted some of the minister’s comment especially the assertion that the country already had a National Social Register for 10 million vulnerable households through which the $800 million will be distributed.

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The statement partly reads, “As Nigerians are sacrificing their fuel subsidy benefits, it should be for a general improvement in the educational and health sectors not some phantom list of name compilations already fraught with deceit.

“Easter is a period when we Christians devote our time to reflect on the role of Jesus Christ in our lives and resolve to walk the path of moral regeneration.

“This period of grace is even more philosophical in view of the fact that it was preceded by the Lenten Season which itself is a holy period for we Christians.

“It is then succinct that the Nigerian Government also takes lessons and relates them to dealings with its citizens especially with the first $800 million fuel subsidy removal palliative.

“I consider it disingenuous on the part of the Federal Government to say Nigeria has a Social Register for 10 million vulnerable households, which they translated to be 50 million Nigerians.

“Just as I am finding it difficult wrapping my brain around it, so also are the majority of Nigerians bemused. Nigerians, particularly its government, should ensure that the workability of the $800 million from the World Bank is adhered to and reflected with transparency and honesty.

“As Nigerians are sacrificing their fuel subsidy benefits, it should be for a general improvement in the educational and health sectors not some phantom list of names compilations which is already fraught with deceit.”

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 Photo Credit: Getty