POLITICS: No Evidence Of Distribution Of Tinubu’s ₦4.3 Trillion Palliatives – Labour Party Claims

POLITICS: No Evidence Of Distribution Of Tinubu’s ₦4.3 Trillion Palliatives – Labour Party Claims....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has criticized the administration led by President Bola Tinubu for allegedly squandering ₦4.3 trillion on palliatives and loans meant to alleviate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. The opposition claims that these funds have had no direct benefit on the lives of Nigerians.

On July 31 of the previous year, the President announced the government’s first set of palliatives. This included ₦100 billion for the acquisition of 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-fueled buses, ₦200 billion to boost agricultural production, ₦75 billion for manufacturers, and ₦125 billion for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the informal sector. According to Tinubu, these measures were intended to ease the suffering caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

However, speaking to Punch, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, contended that the palliatives had been ineffective and had not reached the people.

Ifoh stated, “It is typical for this government to throw around large figures. But have these benefits reached the grassroots? That’s the real question. The Statistician-General recently released an inflation index showing that inflation is still rising, with food inflation over 40 percent. Staple foods like rice, beans, garri, and other grains are still becoming more expensive. So, where did they spend this money?

“Can any Nigerian confirm that their family received part of the ₦4.3 trillion palliatives? These figures seem to exist only on newspaper pages. I have yet to meet anyone who benefited from that money. Even in my village, no one has seen a dime. So, where did the money go? That’s the issue.

“I read recently about the NEC economic meeting report saying they will give states millions of naira to alleviate hardship. Wasn’t this the same promise made a year ago? Yet, we have seen no results. We are not merely criticizing this government; we are urging them to act swiftly before the situation worsens for Nigerians.”

Ifoh also pointed out the inadequacy of the proposed ₦62,000 minimum wage, emphasizing the ongoing struggles faced by Nigerians.

“Up to now, they are still hesitating on the minimum wage, suggesting ₦62,000. I recently calculated that an average family spends around ₦1,600 to ₦1,800 on a loaf of bread daily. Multiplying that by 30 days, that’s nearly ₦50,000 a month just on bread. This government needs to show more empathy.

“Now, they are planning to buy new presidential aircraft for both the President and the Vice President in this economy. This is not a priority. The entire nation protested the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, yet they ignored the public and funded it. This is a misplaced priority, and they are not addressing the critical issues.

“The minimum wage issue remains unresolved. If this continues, there could be significant unrest, and it’s uncertain when it will settle. We appeal to this government to wake up and take the necessary actions to ensure Nigeria remains peaceful and livable for everyone,” he added.

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest travel updates and guides.