Victor EzejaThe organised labour has rejected the proposed disbursement of ₦8,000 to 12 million households in Nigeria by the Federal Government from ₦500 billion subsidy removal palliative fund.
It said cash distribution is not what Nigerians need to survive the current hardship, but a sustainable plan to boost the economy.
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President Bola Tinubu had after announcing the removal of subsidy on petrol, promised that the government would provide palliatives to mitigate the impact on Nigerians.
Subsequently, the president on Tuesday wrote to the House of Representatives, requesting an amendment to the 2022 appropriation act to enable the Federal Government raise ₦500 billion for subsidy removal palliatives to vulnerable Nigerian households.
The president in his letter presented to the Green Chamber, proposed to give N8,000 to 12 million households within six months.
The House of Representatives on Thursday, granted approval for the president’s request.
Reacting to the president’s proposal, the National President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, said what Nigeria needs now is quick intervention to fix infrastructure and other sustainable measures to boost the economy not distributing money to what the government called “vulnerable households.”
He said that giving ₦8,000 to 12 million households will not be a solution to the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
He said: “How can you say you want to give N8,000 to 12 million families monthly for six months because of the removal of subsidies, and you are talking about ₦500 billion naira. That is not the problem of Nigerians now. The problem of Nigerians is coming up with one that will solve the socioeconomic and economic problems.
“Is it with the hyperinflation that you are telling us you will give somebody N8,000? What does N8,000 worth in the market today? Did the President know how much a cup or garri is sold, did he know how much a loaf of bread is sold? Honestly speaking this is annoying.”
He urged the president to look at other climes and emulate how things are done to improve lives of the citizens and move the country forward.
“If you start sharing money without looking at the problem on the ground, is that the solution? In economic development, you don’t act on felt needs because that is not what people want.
“Instead of the government thinking of how to put the necessary infrastructure on the ground to solve the problem, they are unfortunately thinking that distributing money to people will solve the problem. How on earth can that solve the problem when workers and retirees are wallowing in poverty? No thus can’t work. This move is a no for Nigerian workers,” Okon stated.
He wondered why the president could not wait for the outcome of the committee he set earlier to dialogue with the organised labour and come up with appropriate palliative and best method of carrying out the implementation of whatever that is agreed.
He queried how the president arrived at a figure of 12 million poor Nigerians to be given palliatives, adding that the approach will not work.
“It is unfortunate that we are having people in power that do not understand how the economy works. The Presidential committee set up to look at the issues surrounding the removal of oil subsidy has not concluded the report. The committee has not come out with collective bargaining agreement with organised labour and the government has gone ahead to decide what to give to what they tagged 12 million poor Nigerians.
“The presidential committee that was set up by the President himself to look at what to do to solve the impact of the removal of oil subsidy work is still in progress. They have not concluded the report. So where is he coming from? It, therefore, means that he is not planning to take the outcome of the committee’s report seriously.
“He should have allowed the committee to finish their work and submit the report, then look at what is agreed. This approach will not work. He should know it now. Those close to him should advise him because this way he wants to go will not be fruitful at all.
“How do they determine the poor 12 million households in Nigeria? What parameter will the government use to distribute the money?
“Government should stop acting on the felt need, rather it act on the action needs of the people.
“As far as we are concerned, this move is an economic somersault. Because if actually means well for the economy, they will think of what to put into the economy that will bring about a positive impact on the economy, not to distribute money.
“Who told him that giving N8,000 to a few households in Nigeria will scratch the economic hardship those households face let alone make any meaningful impact? The last administration engaged in this same scam and even come up with what they call school feeding programs. And fed even the children of the families in quote even when they were on holiday.
“I think it’s high time this government understood that Nigerians are not fools. How can you just wake up and just say what does not just make meaning to hundreds of millions of Nigerians as if the people you are dishing such sinking statements to do not have sense or reasons?” He asked.
Okon said the president should wait for the outcome of the discussion of the Committee he set up to work before he begins any form of implementation, “otherwise, his plans will not work if the right thing is not done,” he added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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