You could hark back of recently that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a request to the National Assembly to address the welfare of impoverished and vulnerable households in the country through the Federal Government’s National Safety Net Programme which has skyrocketed and made more fierce by the fuel subsidy removal. Tinubu proposed a monthly digital transfer of N8,000 to the accounts of 12 million households with low incomes for a period of six months which has ignited truck loads of reactions from different quotas.
The government which buy a bottle of water for more than 10,000 naira proposes of paying 8,000 naira to a whole household of not less than four persons in minimum consisting of father, mother and two children. Let’s do a small mathematical calculation; 8,000 divide by 30 days would give us 266 naira per day for a family of four to sustain with for a whole day! What a callousness in a magnified level. 266 naira divided amongst the four family members is equals to 66 naira for each person per day and then divide by three for breakfast, lunch and dinner will now arrive us a final answer of 22 naira per meal. This is indeed very ridiculously ridiculous in a country where least among biscuits is sold for 30 naira. What a country we found ourselves in!
Though it is claimed to have been reviewed and retraced but the going by the derisory approach in such a critical times as this in Nigeria, so many people have asked and still asking questions that I believe the government will never have answers to, I mean where would they start from in responding to them?
The NASS is even more heartless.
The National Assembly of Nigeria is notorious for its constant display of greed and lack of concern for the struggles of Nigerian citizens. Despite being elected as representatives of the people, many members of the National Assembly have failed to prioritize the needs of their constituents.
Their greed is evident in their insatiable desire for high salaries, extravagant allowances, and privileges. Despite being one of the highest paid legislative bodies globally, many members of the National Assembly still partake in corrupt activities to further enrich themselves to the detriment of the hoilpollois.
Their insensitivity towards the plight of Nigerians is evident in their apathetic approach to critical national issues. Instead of addressing urgent concerns such as insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges, these lawmakers are rather more focused on inflating the budget through selfish demands.
The recent annoying news in Nigeria that the National Assembly is requesting a whopping sum of 819 billion naira for its members for bullet proof cars and as palliatives for the fuel subsidy removal while Nigerians are deep pains struggling to make ends meet. It is quite disheartening to hear such news at a time when the country is plagued with so many economic challenges.
Many Nigerians are finding it difficult to eat one good food in a day and the situation has become even worse since the removal of the subsidy. The request for such a huge amount of money for the National Assembly members is not only insensitive but also callous. While the lawmakers are living in luxury, many Nigerians can’t afford basic necessities of life and more worrisome as the cost of living continues to get of control. The legislators are supposed to represent the interests of the Nigerian people, and as such, they should always put the well-being of the masses first. They should be reminded that their actions have a direct impact on the lives of Nigerians. They must be accountable for their actions and ensure that they are transparent in their dealings.
Nigerian government must prioritize the welfare of its citizens and the National Assembly should do same and focus on providing solutions to the issues affecting the country. It is time for the lawmakers to wake up to their responsibilities and serve the Nigerian people selflessly.
It is unfortunate that the National Assembly, which should be a source of inspiration for the Nigerian people, has become a breeding ground for self-centered and greedy politicians. The selfishness and lack of empathy of the National Assembly members is a significant impediment to the progress of Nigeria, keep enriching themselves at the expense of the populace.
More distressing and perturbing is the fact that this money is to be borrowed. Buhari left a humongous debts for Nigeria and in less than 2 months in office the current president has started accumulating more debts and suspicious approval the national assembly members do without hesitation.
The same insecurity the refused to tackle is the same reason why they want bullet proof cars to protect themselves from aggressions. My opinion is, why can’t they build a good industrial manufacturing companies with such money and employ the masses to work in there. Comrade Nwoba Chika Nwoba always maintained that giving some people money or their wants instead of what they actually needs does not really solve the problem in the land. Empowerment is more important.
What are your thoughts?