Subsidy Removal: Reps Pass Bill To Give N500b Palliatives To Nigerians

The House of Representatives has passed a bill to make provision for N500b palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The bill passed through both second and third readings after clause by clause consideration by the Committee of Supply, Chaired by the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas at plenary on Thursday.

The amendment bill is sequel to a request by President Bola Tinubu to the House on Wednesday to extract N500b from the 2022 supplementary budget to provide palliatives for subsidy removal.

The legislation was titled “A Bill for an Act to Authorize the issuance of the sum of (N500, 000, 000, 000.00) five hundred billion, Naira, only from the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations of (N819, 536, 937, 815.00) only for the provisions of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal”.

The Leader of the House, Professor Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) moved that the bill be read for the second time and he was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers).

Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Ihonvbere said, since the removal of fuel subsidy, there have been calls on the government to provide some measures to cushion the effects.

He said many members have also moved motions calling for the provision of palliatives and the government has listened to the concerns the executive bill was in response to the cries of the people.

“In a situation where policies are taken leading to expected and unexpected consequences, government has to find means to address the challenges brought by the policy. With the president’s request for funds, Nigerians are waiting to hear from the parliament with so much expectations.

On his part, Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) commended President Tinubu for taking the bull by its horns by removing the fuel subsidy which other administrations could do due to fear of losing popularity or any other flimsy reasons.

“It is good to provide funds in order to provide palliatives to Nigerians who are hard hit by the effect of fuel subsidy removal. “The funds provided should be used for the purpose intended not as it has been the practice before when monies appropriated for a purpose are diverted to other areas or ourightly stolen, he said.

Similarly, leader of the opposition, Chinda supported the quick passage of the bill, considering its positive intentions but cautioned against improper implementation of the palliative programmes.

“As those who speak for the Nigerian people we have actually asked for palliatives on the floor of this chamber. Mr Speaker my dear colleagues, the bill before us is one I believe we will pass with the speed of light.

However, Mr Speaker, we are also aware as Nigerians that when we talk of palliatives, sometimes we see hand outs being given to Nigerians which will end of not having the effect and purpose of palliatives. We commend Mr. President for being responsive to the resolutions of this House by promptly requesting for this money for palliatives for Nigerians.

“Indeed this money has already being budgeted in the appropriation. Therefore, it’s nothing new but the concerns of Nigerians will always be the implementation of these palliatives. We want positive effect on Nigerians.

“We have bills that are skyrocketing, we want palliatives that we give not minimum wage but living wage to Nigerians, a palliative that will allow us breath and not to suffocate the ordinary man as Mr President said. NEPA bill is very high, we want to see a reduction, school fees is high…”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has requested the House to approve $800 million loan for the Federal Government from the World Bank to fund the National Social Safety Network Programme.

This was contained in a letter titled: “Request for Approval of Additional Financing of the National Social Safety Network Programme by the National Assembly”, read by Speaker Abbas on Thursday.

According to the letter, “The Federal Executive Council led by President Muhammadu Buhari, approved an additional loan facility to the tune of 800 million USD to be secured from the World Bank for the National Safety Net Programme (Copy of FEC Extract attached hereby).

The President explained in the letter that: “Under the Conditional Cash Transfer of the programme, the Federal Government of Nigeria will transfer of N8000 per month to 12 million poor and low income households for a period of six months with a multiplier effect on about 6million Nigerians.”