Metro
Subsidy removal: Nigerians seek effective implementation of FG’s palliatives
Some residents of Gombe have advocated practical measures to block governors from monopolising the Federal Government’s proposed palliatives to cushion the effect of petroleum subsidy removal.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast, said the measure was imperative to ensure that the palliatives reach to the targeted population.
They warned against monopolising the palliatives by the state governors to avoid recurrence of poor implementation of the COVID-19 recovery packages and other social support programmes.
Mrs Naomi Bitrus, a retiree, advised the federal government to involve other stakeholders to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the palliatives.
Bitrus described the FG’s palliatives as “good”, adding that the success of the initiative would depend on its implementation.
“The previous palliatives were hijacked or politicised during the implementation stage, this is why widows and physically challenged persons do not benefit from it.
“Governors alone should not be the ones to handle the implementation of the palliative,” she said.
Also, Yusuf Ibrahim, Chairman, Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Gombe State, said the poor implementation of the palliatives would derail the objectives of the initiative.
He said: “Leaving implementation in the hand of governors alone would be counter productive because they might used political parties as yardstick for distribution of the palliatives.
“Many of the good plans by the federal government had been mis-implemented in the past, If the government will channel any resources or palliatives, let it be under the watch of many stakeholders.
“Private sectors, trade unions, religious and community leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and other stakeholders should be involved in the process.
“This will protect IDPs and other vulnerable groups”.
Commenting, Ahmad Balarabe, a resident of Dutse, expressed optimism that the palliatives would cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal as well as improve social and economic well being of the people.
Another resident, Nura Salisu, lauded Tinibu’s plans to strengthen the manufacturing sector to increase its capacity, create jobs and boost productivity.
He also commended the president for providing fund to support 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start sustainable economic growth.
“President Tinubu promised to spend N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024 for that purpose.
“This a welcome development, as each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1billion facility at 9 per cent per annum, with maximum of 60 months repayment for long term loans and 12 months for working capital,” Salisu said.
A Student Of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State, has died after being hit by a trailer driver on Monday, April 15.
The Accident was said to have occurred when the driver, who was reportedly driving against traffic, collided with the motorcycle conveying a student named Olanrewaju Olatona and another passenger along the Ikirun-Osogbo road area of the state.
Due to the severe impact, Olanrewaju Olatona, a National Diploma 2 student, suffered fatal injuries. He died at the scene.
Olatona, who was the Financial Secretary of the Department of Mass Communication, was preparing for the one-year Industrial Training programme.
The driver fled the scene after the accident and has not been apprehended.
Subsequently, Osun State Polytechnic students organised a procession in front of the school gate and blocked the expressway for several hours.
Some unknown gunmen have kidnapped Joshua Rogers, the ChannelsTV reporter in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Politics Nigeria learnt that Rogers was picked up close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt and to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, April 11.
The reporter was driving his official ChannelsTV branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.
Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for bis release.
His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.
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