By Hassan Zaggi
In order to reduce the sufferings of Nigerians at the rural areas following the removal of fuel subsidy, the Local Government Summit Group, has advocated for the immediate roll out of palliatives to the 774 local governments areas in the country.
The group stated this in a communique at the end of its conference in Abuja with the theme: “Empowering the Rural poor in Nigeria’s post subsidy Regime: the Role of Labour Union, The Micro Finance Bank and the Local Governments.”
The group expressed concern over the inability of the federal government to factor local governments in the distribution of the palliatives which is aimed at cushioning the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government.
Local Government Summit Group is an Umbrella body of all local government stakeholders in Nigeria with focus on research and advocacy on issue affecting people at the grassroots and the rural economy of Nigeria.
The group further called for the establishment of what it described as an independent Monitoring and Evaluation(M&E) team to see the effective Implementation of the Palliatives
It further called for: “Direct disbursement of Palliates through the local government stakeholders in the local Government such as NULGE, NUT, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the Local Government Chairmen will ensure the palliatives get to the right beneficiaries instead of a third parties that are not stakeholders of local governments; the direct disbarment through the local government will help the federal government to get accurate feedback on the success of the palliatives given the huge amount expended and inclusion of local government as part of the structure s that will implement the palliatives.”
According to the communique issued by the group: “Artisan Group, Market Group, Street Captains, religion body and transport unions must monitor the palliative to ensure to ensure the palliative goals are met.
“The transport Supports should commence from the local government the bulk of Nigerians can be found; Inter states and city transport across the 774 Local governments is urgently needed.
“The legislative arms of various governments as a matter of urgency undertake oversight on the disbursements of palliatives at all levels.
“There is need for intervention of SMEDAN to scale up business education at the rural area through the Local Government Summit Group and other vital stakeholders of local government in Nigeria.
“Area of intervention Enumerated in the Palliatives plan of the federal government such as agriculture, MSME and Nano Businesses should be strictly monitored to avoid been hijacked by political elites against the poor masses of Nigeria.
“Security agencies and other government institutions should direct some of their budgets to providing essential services to the rural poor at this material time of economic hardship in order to improve their well being and the federal Government should also roll out palliative supports to the local as they did to the state government especially on vocational skills and mass transportation.”
The group further insisted that local government needs rural economy intervention of 500 billion naira for 774 Local Governments in Nigeria not from the federal government but from Africa Development Bank as loans to rural Poor through Development Bank of Nigeria and Nirsal Micro- Finance Bank as Secondary lenders for the period of 10 years.
“The Secondary lenders will guarantee the loan while the Nigeria Union of local Government Employee (NULGE) Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and the local Government will further guaranteed for their members and selected beneficiaries. Its therefore means the loan is secured.
“The 500 Billion is to cover an average of 300 beneficiaries on the benchmark of Two Hundred Thousands Naira per person; whereas people who need above the amount can form a cluster to avoid unnecessary exposure of the loan.”
