Hon Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has assured Nigerians that the Green Chamber will thoroughly monitor the distribution of palliatives by the Federal Government.
Agbese spoke today during an appearance on AIT’s Kakaaki in reaction to President Bola Tinubu’s recent nationwide broadcast.
In his address yesterday, President Tinubu unveiled measures to cushion the effects of the economic downturn caused by fuel subsidy removal.
Among many others, he approved N100 billion for the procurement of 3000 20-seater buses fueled by Compressed Natural Gas to ease the high cost of transportation.
The President also said his administration would energise micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth with N125 billion.
He added that the sum of N50 billion would be spent on conditional grants to one million nano businesses between now and March 2024, explaining that the government’s target was to give N50,000 each to 1,300 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country.
Welcoming the initiative, Agbese said Nigerians will gradually feel the positive impact of some of the recommendations and resolutions made by the House leadership under Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas.
For instance, he said the planned upward review of the national minimum wage was discussed in the House and members agreed to give swift ascent once transmitted to the National Assembly.
Agbese said members also deliberated on the provision of buses, investment in critical social and economic infrastructures as well as support for the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
He, however, said the House has resolved to set up a committee to see the effective and efficient implementation of these measures.
The Deputy Spokesperson assured that the House under the leadership of Rt Hon Abbas will continue to engage the Executive on other possible interventions to put smiles on the faces of citizens.
“The issue of palliative was raised on the floor, we debated on it and sent our recommendations to the executive and the president has acted on that,” Agbese said.
“We are not going to stop there. When we return to the parliament, we will continue to engage the executive to make sure that things are done in the right direction. We’ve resolved to commend some of the interventions of the President.
“As part of our oversight function, the House has resolved to set up a committee to monitor the distribution of palliatives and ensure that they get to the masses. We will also monitor the effective implementation of fuel subsidy removal.
“We will be alive to our constitutional obligation to effectively monitor all entities of government responsible for the deployment of these palliatives. The ultimate is to ensure speedy delivery, equitable distribution, and transparency at all times”.
Agbese, however, urged Nigerians to see this as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of the nation.
“We have also agreed that this is a necessary sacrifice that we all have to make for the greater good of our nation,” he appealed.
“I want to assure Nigerians that there will be light at the end of the tunnel”.
