N8000 palliative: Tinubu should not repeat Buhari’s mistakes, by Kasim Isa Muhammad
I was quite gobsmacked when I came across the news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to compassionately alleviate the burden of subsidy removal on 12 million impoverished households by providing them with a meager sum of N8000 for a period of six months. Initially, I had to rub my eyes in skepticism, questioning the authenticity of what I had just read. However, to my surprise, it appears that numerous media outlets have indeed reported this astonishing news.
Struggling to recover from what I scanned earlier, I stumbled upon a startling piece of news that left me exceedingly in complete disbelief. The gravity of the situation rendered me speechless for several minutes as I pondered the implications for the future of our country.
Now, dear reader, I sense your anticipation to learn what I read. Brace yourself, for I came across an incredibly disturbing article in The Sun newspaper last Saturday.
In the midst of the unprecedented sufferings experienced by our nation, it was reported that the Senate and House of Representatives are planning to allocate a staggering N40 billion for the purchase of vehicles intended solely for the lawmakers inhabiting the Red and Green Chambers of the National Assembly.
The report further disclosed that a mind-boggling number of vehicles would be procured: precisely 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser for the Senate and an astounding 358 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Prado for the House of Representatives.
Of course, this disclosure left me contemplating the priorities of our elected representatives and the ostensibly vast disconnect between their actions and the dire needs of our nation. As our country wrestles with countless challenges and its citizens endure untold encumbrances, it is disheartening to witness such extravagant expenditures.
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The immense amount of funds allotted for luxury vehicles raises valid concerns in my mind about the judicious utilization of our collective wealth and the overall commitment of our lawmakers to serve the people’s best interests.
It is at moments like these that one cannot help but question the future trajectory of our country. The glaring contrast between the exorbitant spendings on lavish vehicles and the pressing issues that demand urgent attention send a disconcerting message about the priorities of our leaders. As a concerned citizen, I cannot help but wonder if there are better ways to allocate these funds and address the genuine needs and aspirations of our nation.
However, let me not dwell excessively on the shenanigans of our lawmakers, for Nigeria is a country that never ceases to stun with its myriad shocks and surprises.
My dear reader, allow me to transport you back to the discussion surrounding Tinubu’s poverty alleviation scheme. It is frankly baffling to comprehend how a mere 8K could possibly ameliorate the devastating impact of fuel subsidy removal in a country where citizens are already burdened with exorbitant prices for essential food commodities.
The current petrol pump price alone stands at nothing less than N550, and the cost of education in our public universities has experienced a drastic surge. In light of these distressing circumstances, one cannot help but reflect upon the efficacy of allocating a slavish sum of 8K to 12 million poor Nigerians over a period of six months.
Perhaps it is necessary to remind our leaders, as it seems they may have forgotten, that according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), an overwhelming 84 million Nigerians are currently trapped in the clutches of extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.9 per day. Instead of actively seeking lasting solutions to the multitude of challenges that plague us, it appears that Tinubu’s administration is perilously poised to repeat the mistakes of previous administrations.
We are all aware that the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari implemented innumerable poverty mitigation programs, such as N-power, Survival Funds, and the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). However, it is worth questioning whether these initiatives have really succeeded in alleviating the pervasive poverty that plagues our country.
Similarly, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has also projected a distressing tide in unemployment, estimating it to reach a startling breathtaking 37 percent this year. Is the N500 Billion not truly sufficient to empower our youth with viable and veritable skills?
Regrettably, it seems like our leaders have lost their ability to listen and empathize with the very people who entrusted them with power. Instead of prioritizing the well-being of those who elected them into office, they have chosen to inflict unnecessary hardships, seemingly oblivious to the devastating impact of their policies.
To illustrate, allow me, my admirable readers, to outline what N500 Billion can potentially achieve for our country.
First and foremost, education must be prioritized as it is essential for any nation’s progress. In Nigeria, the situation regarding education is particularly concerning.
According to a UNESCO report in 2023, approximately 20 million Nigerians, which accounts for 20 percent of the country’s population, are not enrolled in school. This figure exceeds the total population of several African countries. In my opinion, by utilizing N500 Billion to build and renovate schools in both rural and urban areas, we can significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.
Furthermore, agriculture, being the vital sector of our economy, faces insurmountable challenges. By allocating a substantial portion of these funds to the sector, we can provide our farmers with adequate and affordable fertilizers, thereby enhancing the agricultural industry.
To incredibly uplift Nigeria, it is vital to focus on promoting rural infrastructure. By wisely directing the funds towards initiatives such as improving rural roads, ensuring a reliable electricity supply, and establishing cold storage facilities, we can also address issues of poor management, facilitate transportation of agricultural produce, and foster overall economic development in rural areas.
Additionally, our public universities are currently battling with insufficient funding, making education increasingly unaffordable for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Will N500 Billion be sufficient to revamp many of these universities and address the pressing needs of students?
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to address our esteemed President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigerians have high expectations of you, Mr. President, as we believe you possess valuable insights into the economy. We eagerly anticipate your visionary ideas and urge you to wear your thinking cap. It may be early to pass judgment, but please do not disappoint us.
Kasim Isa Muhammad is an investigative journalist and a full-time reporter with both Neptune Prime and The Citizen Reports newspapers.