Following the public outcry and stiff opposition to it, President Bola Tinubu has directed a quick review of the much criticised N8000 cash transfer – removal of fuel subsidy palliative to 12 million vulnerable Nigerians.
The President in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake late Tuesday has also directed that the entire succour measure be made public.
The State’s House statement with the title: “Review of N8000 Cash Transfer ” reads in part: “That the N8,000 conditional cash transfer programmed envisaged to bring succour to most vulnerable households be reviewed immediately. This is in deference to the views expressed by Nigerians against it.
“That the whole gamut of palliative package of government be unveiled to Nigerians.
“Immediate release of fertilisers and grains to approximately 50 million farmers and households respectively in all the 36 states and the FCT”.
Alake indicated that President Tinubu further assured Nigerians that the N500 billion approved by parliament to cushion the pains occasioned by the end of subsidy regime will be judiciously utilised, adding that the beneficiaries of the reliefs shall be Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation.
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“President Bola Tinubu has promised to always prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians and he is irrevocably committed to the vow. A number of decisions taken so far by this Administration have buttressed this stance” the statement restated.
The Presidency recalled that Tinubu took a similar decision after listening to complaints from the business community/stakeholders about burdensome taxes, particularly multiplicity of taxes they are made to experience, saying that this warranted the signing of four (4) Executive Orders, cancelling some classes of taxes, while suspending the implementation dates of others.
“In addition, the President has also set up a Tax Reform/Fiscal Policy Committee to bring up recommendations that will engender a wholesome fiscal environment for the country and remove anti-business barriers.
“I wish to assure Nigerians that President Tinubu will continue to be a listening leader whose ears will not be dull to the views expressed by the citizenry. The President believes the government exists to cater for the interest of the people and he has demonstrated this so clearly” Alake stressed.
Recall that the National Assembly last week approved President Tinubu’s planned disbursement of N500 billion to 12 million poor Nigerians as a measure to cushion the biting effects of removal of fuel subsidy.
The measure and hasty approval have since been met with condemnation from many Nigerians who described the approach as an affront and an invitation to corruption.
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