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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate review of the proposed N8000 conditional cash transfer to Nigerians to cushion the effect of the petrol subsidy removal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the president’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, on Tuesday evening.
“That the N8,000 conditional cash transfer programme envisaged to bring succour to most vulnerable households be reviewed immediately. This is in deference to the views expressed by Nigerians against it,” he said.
Alake said the president has also directed that the whole gamut of the palliative package of government be unveiled to Nigerians.
He further explained that Tinubu has approved the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to approximately 50 million farmers and households respectively in all the 36 states and the FCT.
“The President further assures Nigerians that the N500 billion approved by parliament to cushion the pain occasioned by the end of subsidy regime will be judiciously utilised. The beneficiaries of the reliefs shall be Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation.
“President Bola Tinubu has promised to always prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians and he is irrevocably committed to the vow. A number of decisions taken so far by this administration have buttressed this stance.
“You will recall that the President took a similar decision after listening to complaints from the business community/stakeholders about burdensome taxes, particularly multiplicity of taxes they are made to experience. This warranted the signing of four Executive Orders cancelling some classes of taxes, while suspending the implementation dates of others.
“In addition, the President has also set up a Tax Reform/Fiscal Policy Committee to bring up recommendations that will engender a wholesome fiscal environment for the country and remove anti-business barriers,” the statement added.
Alake assured Nigerians that Tinubu will continue to be a listening leader whose ears will not be dull to the views expressed by the citizenry.
“The President believes government exists to cater for the interest of the people and he has demonstrated this so clearly,” he said.