Questions are being raised regarding the purchase and distribution of palliatives recently disbursed to state governors in Nigeria.
Development Diaries reports that the federal government disbursed two billion naira out of the five billion naira palliative package for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in August in a bid to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
The state governors were instructed to procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilisers to be distributed to the people.
However, there has not been transparency recorded in the process of spending and distribution of the palliatives.
As a matter of fact, the Department of State Sevices (DSS) recently reported that it arrested some officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency and their accomplices for allegedly diverting palliatives meant for vulnerable citizens.
Also, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the 36 state governments seven days to disclose details on the spending of the funds.
Nigerians need to know what has been done with these funds and how palliatives have been distributed so far. This is where transparency and accountability come in, in order to track and help reduce the risk of corruption, mismanagement, diversion, or opportunism.
Development Diaries calls on state governments to provide details of their spending, alongside a register provided for those that have been reached, which would serve as a verifiable record to show the number of Nigerians who have received relief items.
We also reiterate our call that the federal and state governments partner with relevant and credible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to identify and reach the vulnerable citizens who are the intended targets.
Photo source: Lagos State Government
