Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state was highly critical of the
proposed cash transfer policy by the
Federal Government, which he deemed to be
a scam. Speaking during an interview with Arise Television’s News Night, the
governor expressed his strong opinion on the matter.
In his view, implementing cash transfers at this crucial time
was not a viable solution. He referred to it as a complete scam, raising doubts
about its effectiveness. Governor Sani argued that the major issue with cash
transfers lies in identifying the recipients. He highlighted a startling
statistic, indicating that around 70 to 75 percent of the rural population in
the North West region was financially excluded, lacking even a basic bank
account. Without addressing financial inclusion for these vulnerable groups, he
believed that any attempt to distribute money would ultimately end up benefiting
the wrong people.
Governor Sani called upon development partners like the World
Bank to invest more in financial inclusion efforts. He emphasized the
importance of ensuring that the underprivileged are integrated into the formal
financial system. Opening bank accounts for them would be a crucial step in the
right direction.
In response to the removal of fuel subsidy, President Bola
Tinubu had previously unveiled a plan to provide a monthly N8,000 transfer to
12 million of the country’s poorest households for a period of six months.
However, this announcement faced public outcry, leading the Federal Government
to reconsider its approach.
The National Executive Council (NEC) also deliberated on
palliative measures for Nigerians, which included integrity tests on state
social registers. Cash transfers would be conducted through state social
registers, accounting for each state’s specific needs.
Additionally, the Federal Government launched a six-month
cash award policy for public servants. Furthermore, they proposed distributing
food items, grains, and fertilizers through state governments at rates acquired
from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). States were also
encouraged to focus on energy transition plans in the transport sector.
In conclusion, Governor Uba Sani raised valid concerns about
the cash transfer policy, emphasizing the need for financial inclusion to
ensure that assistance reaches the most deserving individuals. The proposed
measures by the Federal Government aimed to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy
removal and address the welfare of vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
