N8,000 palliative: Which data are you using – Catholic Bishop questions Tinubu’s plan

The Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Anslem Umoren, has raised concerns about the Federal Government’s plan to provide N8,000 to 12 million households in Nigeria for a period of six months.

Umoren expressed his curiosity regarding the specific beneficiaries of the N8,000 and the data that the Federal Government intends to employ for the implementation of this plan. He emphasized that Nigeria’s population exceeds 200 million.

FRESHREPORTERS gathered during a conversation with reporters on Sunday, on the sidelines of the Mass and Charter Presentation ceremony of Serra Club in Garki, Abuja, Umoren shared his thoughts.

He referred to President Bola Tinubu’s request to the National Assembly, in which Tinubu highlighted the government’s intention to support the welfare of impoverished and vulnerable households through the National Safety Net Programme.

Tinubu proposed that N8,000 be transferred digitally each month to the bank accounts of 12 million poor and low-income households over a six-month period.

Umoren stated, “I urge the government to take necessary actions to alleviate the suffering of the people; it cannot be business as usual.”

Expressing his reservations, he said, “I don’t want to believe that everything I see in the media is true. With regards to the 8,000 households, what data is being utilized? Who will actually benefit from it? We have a population of over 200 million.”

He further urged the government to reconsider its approach and ensure that its initiatives reach all segments of the population. Umoren emphasized the importance of inclusive policies, cautioning against a repeat of previous shortcomings.