The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the last
election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described as surprising the approval of N3 billion
by the current administration for verification of national register of the
poor, saying it could only happen in Nigeria.
Obi said the equivalent amount spent for verification
exercise would have made a significant impact if prudently and transparently
managed.
He wondered why such a huge sum was approved for just
verification of national register of the poor, when the same amount could have
been directed towards actual poverty alleviation.
In a statement issued on his X handle on Wednesday, the
former Anambra State governor said the approval raises a fundamental question
as to how come the data for poverty alleviation has not been verified on a
regular basis.
He lamented the inability of the leaders to prioritise
expenditure and focus on the critical areas of national development and
national security, which he said are the challenges weighing down on the
nation.
“It is very surprising to hear that the sum of N3 billion
was approved for verification of national register of the poor. This can only
happen in Nigeria. I have maintained that we must decisively deal with the
issue of cost of governance in Nigeria now as a matter of urgency.
“Sadly, this very huge amount approved just for verification
of national register of the poor is more than three times the amount of
N908,699,435 which was budgeted for our National Library.
“This is happening at a time in our nation when we need all
the manpower training to to keep our work force productive. Our national
library, a very critical infrastructure in our nation, seemingly abandoned,
lacks books and educational materials.
“The same amount, would have made a significant impact, if
prudently and transparently managed. Moreso, with more than half of our
population battling with absolute and multi dimensional poverty, one wonders
why such a huge sum was approved for just verification of national register of
the poor, when the same amount could have been directed towards actual poverty
alleviation. This approval raises a fundamental question: how come the data for
poverty alleviation has not been verified on a regular basis?
“The inability of we the leaders to prioritise our
expenditure and focus on the critical areas of national development, and
national security, are the challenges weighing down on our nation today.
“Unless we begin to sacrifice our personal comfort for the
good of society, and begin to care more for the people, especially the less
privileged ones, our nation will continue to grapple with all forms of societal
ills caused by high level of poverty. “
