CURRENT REPORTS BLOG: Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, recently voiced his disagreement with critics arguing that the proposed N8,000 palliative by the Federal Government would not adequately alleviate the effects of fuel subsidy removal on poor Nigerians. In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Governor Sule stressed that N8,000 might not seem substantial to some, but it could make a significant difference to many underprivileged families who rarely encounter such an amount in a month. He urged the authorities to ensure proper identification of deserving families to make the palliative effective.
The National Executive Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, along with the 36 state governors, convened to devise palliative measures for Nigerians amidst the fuel subsidy removal. The proposed plan involved cash transfers, targeting 12 million impoverished households for a six-month period, with an expected positive impact on approximately 60 million individuals.
Governor Sule revealed that prior to the proposed N8,000 subsidy, the government had been distributing N5,000 monthly to certain families in need. Many communities were able to utilize these funds to foster positive developments in their localities. He emphasized that while N8,000 may not appear substantial to some, it holds great value to economically disadvantaged families who struggle to make ends meet.
Governor Sule acknowledged that there have been challenges with the national social register, with some ineligible individuals reportedly accessing funds intended for the needy. He expressed support for the register’s continued use while urging authorities to address and rectify existing flaws to ensure the proper targeting of deserving beneficiaries.
Governor Sule asserted that the success of the N8,000 subsidy palliative lies in accurately identifying and reaching out to the families in dire need. He advocated for a systematic approach, utilizing state social registers, tailored to individual state peculiarities. This strategy can ensure that the palliative reaches those who genuinely require assistance, thus maximizing its impact.
