The leadership of the Labour Party has knocked the administration of President Bola Tinubu for allegedly frittering away N4.3tn on palliatives and loans ostensibly to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal and other economic policies, saying it has no direct impact on the lives of the masses.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, however, disagreed and argued that unless the opposition had substantial evidence, it would be unfair to conclude that the palliatives did not reach the vulnerable people who were targeted.
The divergent views were expressed by the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh and the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, in two separate interviews with our correspondent.
Following the economic hardship that trailed the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government rolled out a number of palliative measures, including distribution of foodstuffs, cash, rebate on transport fares and acquisition of gas-powered buses, among others.
Specifically during a national broadcast on July 31, the President announced the government’s first sets of palliatives, which included N100bn to acquire 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses, N200bn to boost agriculture production, N75bn for manufacturers, and N125bn for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the informal sector.
According to him, the move would tone down the pains being experienced by Nigerians on account of fuel subsidy removal.
However, the Labour Party spokesman told our correspondent that the rolled-out palliatives had been a mirage and had not impacted Nigerians. Punch
