Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly have been urged by the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) to reevaluate their salary and benefits, which have been deemed unduly lavish for an extended period of time.
The organization instructed State Governors to reassess their financial plans and organizational frameworks in order to allocate the 102,000 metric tons of grains—including garri, millet, and maize—from the National Food Reserve.
In a statement released in Abuja, NCYP Chairman Isaac Abrak praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the significant revenue savings realized since the fuel subsidy was removed.
As per his assertion, Tinubu’s sincere aim to stop the embezzlement of billions of Naira by a few oil cabals pretending to pay for oil subsidies is demonstrated by the rerouting of the monies to improve the lives of Nigerians, especially the underprivileged.
However, Abrak said that despite the efforts, State and Local Governments have not yet effectively utilized the cash to improve the lives of Nigerians, especially the very poor. This has been brought to light by the recent nationwide protests organized under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance.
“This reality calls for state governors and chairmen of local governments to immediately review the procedures they employ in order to manage these funds and provide palliative care,” he stated.
It’s interesting to note that this protest has brought to light young people and community leaders who may be incorporated into these systems to guarantee that the benefits of these monies and other palliative measures, like food commodities, reach the people who need them the most.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributed N1.354 trillion last month, July, when protestors were organizing. States received N461.979 billion, and local governments received N337.019 billion. Federal, state, and municipal governments split N10.13 trillion between January and May of this year, a 179% increase over the same period in 2023.
“The Federal Government received N1.88 trillion of these disbursements, State Governments received N2.05 trillion, and Local Governments received N1.41 trillion.
“President Tinubu sent 20 rice trucks, each holding about 1,200 bags weighing 25 kg, to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to make sure food reaches the tables of regular Nigerians.
“The goal of this distribution is to mitigate the rising cost of commodities and the food crisis. Dissatisfaction across the country is on the rise as the intended outcomes remain elusive despite our best efforts.
“To make sure that palliative care properly reaches individuals in need, state governors must immediately reassess their economic policies and distribution systems. It is simple to point the finger at state governors, but distribution networks’ leaders, religious organizations like the Christian Association of Nigeria and Jama’a tu Nasril Islam, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, professional associations, and youth and student unions also bear some of the blame.
“These organizations need to assess their internal distribution systems critically and make improvements. As seen by the recent protests that have an impact on all of us, subnational government must refrain from politicizing the allocation of palliative care and governance in general. It is imperative to intentionally exclude individuals motivated by greed, selfishness, and a lack of moral character from overseeing government intervention initiatives, particularly in local communities.
“President Tinubu should keep viewing constructive criticism as a chance to grow, but all of us must also reflect on our own lives and work to become better citizens and followers in order to advance our nation.
The National and State Assemblies’ members ought to reevaluate their pay and benefits, which have long been viewed as unduly lavish.
“The Northern Christian Youth Professionals call on the #EndBadGovernance demonstrators to put an end to their demonstration and collaborate with other relevant parties to guarantee that all Nigerians, especially the most disadvantaged, benefit from the removal of subsidies.”
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