Following the elimination of the fuel subsidy and the recent increase in petrol prices to up to N617/litre, the National Executive Council (NEC) decided to distribute the subsidy palliative using a social registry created by the state rather than Buhari’s own due of inconsistencies in its compilation procedure.
The choice was made on Thursday during a meeting held in the State House’s Council Chambers in Abuja.
According to Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, who briefed reporters, it is not viable to digitally transfer money to the poorest of the poor, the majority of whom are not bankable, contrary to what the Buhari administration promised.
Soludo added that recipients of the allegedly transferred funds could not be located in the communities, flanked by his colleagues from Bauchi and Ogun States, Bala Mohammed and Dapo Abiodun, respectively.
According to him, NEC decided that the states should create their own registers using both formal and informal methods to ensure that all beneficiaries at the subnational level could easily be accessible in that manner.
The lack of a trustworthy register is a problem that needs to be addressed, he said.
Soludo confirmed that NEC thought carefully about how to mitigate the effects of the most recent elimination of petroleum subsidies.
The expense of governance in their many sectors was also encouraged during the discussion for government officials.
In addition, the Federal Government has started a six-month cash award policy for public employees.
State governments must provide food, cereals, and fertilisers at the rate determined by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and they are asked to intensify their energy transition plans for the transportation industry.
In light of the withdrawal of the petrol subsidy and the subsequent increase in gasoline prices, the Council will discuss the revised palliative package for Nigerians at its second meeting.
Recall that in an effort to mitigate the consequences of the elimination of the gasoline subsidy, Tinubu announced his plans to give a monthly transfer of N8,000 to 12 million of the poorest households in the nation for a period of six months.
However, following the criticism it received from Nigerians, the Federal Government declared it will reconsider the action.
