States, LGAs Urged To Review Economic Policies, Palliatives Distribution Systems

Amid ongoing hunger protests, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals has urged state and local governments to review their economic policies and palliative distribution structures to address the hardship in the nation.

The group also urged #EndBadGovernance protesters to end the protest and join other stakeholders to work together to ensure that the benefits of the subsidy removal reach every Nigerian, particularly the most vulnerable.

The chairman of the group, Isaac Abrak, in a statement yesterday, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the substantial revenue savings achieved since the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Isaac said it is imperative that state governors urgently review their economic policies and distribution structures to ensure that palliatives effectively reach those in need.

He explained that while it is easy to blame state governors, the responsibility also lies with the leadership of distribution networks, including religious bodies such as the Christian Association of Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, traditional rulers, civil society groups, professional organisations, and youth and student unions.

“These bodies must critically examine and improve their internal distribution mechanisms.

“Government at the sub-national level must avoid politicizing the distribution of palliatives and governance in general, as evidenced by the recent protests that affect us all.

“Individuals driven by selfishness, greed, and poor integrity must be consciously weeded out from administering government intervention programs, especially at the grassroots level.

“President Tinubu should continue to embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity to do more, while we all must also self-examine and strive to improve our characters and roles as followers and citizens in moving our country forward.

“Members of the National and State Assemblies should reconsider their wages and allowances, which have long been criticized as excessively generous.”