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Criticism of N70bn Palliative: Lawmakers facing criticism for the allocation of N70 billion in palliative funds.

Criticism has been directed towards lawmakers for the allocation of N70 billion in palliative funds, which were intended to enhance the working conditions of new members. This move is seen as contradicting the principles of good governance.

During the amendment of the N819.5 billion 2022 supplementary budget, the National Assembly swiftly approved N70 billion to support the working conditions of new lawmakers, while allocating N500 billion to assist Nigerians in mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal. The budget also allocated N185 billion to the Ministry of Works and Housing to address the consequences of the 2022 flooding disaster, N19.2 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture for farmland restoration after last year’s floods, N35 billion to the National Judicial Council, and N10 billion to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects.

The National Assembly, comprising the Senate with 109 members and the House of Representatives with 360 members, would distribute the N70 billion equally, resulting in approximately N149 million for each member. In contrast, the N500 billion would be divided among families, with each receiving N8,000. Musa Ibrahim Rafsanjani, the executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, criticized the lack of clarity and sincerity surrounding the allocation of N70 billion, particularly at a crucial time of post-Covid recovery and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions. He expressed concern about the increasing cost of governance, which burdens the nation’s finances.

Princewill Anyalaewchi, a retired government employee, deemed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to allocate N70 billion to a small number of individuals while allocating N500 billion to millions of indigent citizens battling the adverse effects of subsidy removal and inflation as unfair, insensitive, and poorly thought out. He criticized the income disparity between lawmakers and ordinary citizens, highlighting that Senators earn N1.5 million monthly while House members receive N1.3 million.

The combination of rising inflation, increased poverty, and high unemployment rates threatens economic growth and security. The allocation of palliatives to Nigerians has raised concerns about how they will reach the intended beneficiaries. Previous government efforts in 2020 to provide palliatives during the COVID-19 pandemic were deemed insufficient, with a survey showing that only 1.2 percent of respondents received government support. Chinedu Obi, a politician based in Abuja, opposed the decision to provide N8,000 monthly to 12 million households, citing weak purchasing power and the lack of a transparent mechanism to identify the poor.

The World Bank emphasized the need for Nigeria to improve its spending to promote economic development, as the current level of spending is significantly lower compared to other countries. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has announced its intention to sue the Federal Government over the allocation of N70 billion to the National Assembly, considering it untimely and inappropriate given the high poverty rate and the removal of fuel subsidy. SERAP called for the immediate withdrawal of the allocation, threatening legal action if necessary.

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