N5 Billion Palliative and Grant Distribution Criticized as Unplanned and Ineffective, Says ACF Spokesperson

The spokesperson of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the allocation of N5 billion in palliatives and grants to state governments, describing it as poorly planned and lacking a scientific basis.

In an interview, Professor Muhammad-Baba, who is a Sociology professor, pointed out the flaws in distributing the same amount of money to states like Lagos, Oyo, Kano, and Bayelsa, despite variations in their populations and the number of eligible recipients.

He stated, “I am concerned about the uniform allocation of N5 billion to each state. There seems to be no logical justification for this distribution. “

“Allocating the same amount to Bayelsa, Lagos, Oyo, and Kano states, and expecting it to yield meaningful results, is a questionable approach.”

He continued, “This approach reflects a lack of proper planning and strategy. It appears to be an impulsive decision without a sound basis.”

“Distributing funds equally among states does not make sense in this context. We are addressing the issue of poverty, which is relative.”

“The number of people living in poverty varies significantly between Lagos, Oyo, Kano, and Bayelsa. Hence, the impact will differ.”

Professor Muhammad-Baba highlighted the inclusion of 30,000 bags of rice in the distribution and questioned its effectiveness.

He elaborated, “For instance, take a state like Sokoto with a population of over seven million, according to the National Population Commission. How many people can 30,000 bags of rice truly support?”

He emphasized that the government’s approach lacks a solid plan, stating, “The government’s implementation of this policy appears to be haphazard. While assisting the needy is essential, the intervention needs to be meticulously designed. Simply providing aid without a comprehensive strategy will not lead to significant changes.”…[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>