LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian labour leaders have expressed scepticism on Friday, July 14, 2023, about the federal government’s plan to provide N8,000 per month for six months to 12 million households.
According to them, the aid is grossly inadequate and does not address the country’s escalating cost of living.
Funmi Sessi, Chairwoman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Lagos, criticised the plan in an interview with journalists.
She argued that the subsidy removal has significantly driven up market prices, making the aid less effective.
“Looking at the money and the effect of the subsidy removal that has escalated the prices of everything in the market, I wonder what the N8,000 can do for a family in a month,” Sessi told journalists.
“N8,000 cannot take care of a family for a week; it is not possible; it is going to be like a drop of water in the ocean.”
President Bola Tinubu announced the program as part of the National Safety Net Programme of the Federal Government.
Under the proposal, N8,000 will be digitally transferred each month to the accounts of 12 million poor and low-income households for half a year.
However, some believe this move is premature and ill-conceived.
Tommy Okon, National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, argued that it would be more beneficial to first finalize the presidential committee’s report on oil subsidy removal and reach a consensus with organized labor before implementing such relief measures.
“Otherwise, it will amount to doing exactly what the previous administration did that yielded no positive impact on the environment and economy,” Okon said.
These criticisms underscore broader concerns about the government’s approach to social safety nets and economic policy in Nigeria, particularly amidst high inflation and economic instability.
Nigeria’s President Tinubu Elected as the New Chairman of ECOWAS
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, was elected as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Guinea-Bissau.
President Tinubu will take over the position from Umaro Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, becoming the head of the 15-member regional bloc. His term of office will begin immediately.
In his acceptance speech, President Tinubu affirmed his commitment to the democratic process. “We will take democracy seriously. Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government,” he declared.
Tinubu’s ascension to the chairmanship of ECOWAS reflects Nigeria’s significant role in the region.
