FILE PHOTO: Members of the House of Representatives at plenary
A federal lawmaker from Rivers State, Farah Dagogo, has urged the Federal Government to abandon its plan to disburse $800 million to about 50 million Nigerians as a cushion for the proposed removal of the Premium Motor Spirit subsidy. He argues that the funds would be better invested in critical sectors such as education and health, which would benefit the majority of Nigerians in the short, medium, and long term.
Dagogo, who represents the Degema/Bonny federal constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly, made these remarks in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday morning. The statement, signed by his media aide Ibrahim Lawal, acknowledged that the government’s initiative was well‑conceived but expressed doubt that the transparency of the proposed cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians could be guaranteed.
Recent reports indicated that Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed announced the government had secured $800 million from the World Bank as part of its post‑subsidy palliative plan, to be distributed to 10 million households—equating to about 50 million Nigerians. In his Easter message, Dagogo challenged the minister’s claim that a National Social Register already existed for these 10 million vulnerable households.
He explained that, as Nigerians join the world in celebrating Easter—a period centered on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ—the same spirit of sacrifice should be reflected in the transparent and honest handling of the $800 million. “As Nigerians are sacrificing their fuel subsidy benefits, it should lead to genuine improvements in education and health, not to a phantom list of names fraught with deceit,” the statement read.
Dagogo emphasized that Easter is a time for Christians to reflect on Jesus Christ’s role in their lives and to commit to moral regeneration, a sentiment that should inspire the government’s dealings with its citizens, especially regarding the subsidy removal palliative. He called the government’s assertion of a Social Register for 10 million vulnerable households—translated to 50 million Nigerians—disingenuous and noted that many Nigerians share his confusion.
He urged public officials to act with greater openness and to relate well to their fellow countrymen, reminding them that they hold their responsibilities in trust. “Let us be our brother’s keepers,” he concluded.
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