Give N37bn NASS renovation fund to states, FCT to fight COVID-19, SERAP tells Lawan, Gbajabiamila

Give N37bn NASS renovation fund to states, FCT to fight COVID-19, SERAP tells Lawan, Gbajabiamila

by Joseph Anthony
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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila to make a public commitment to re-direct the N37 billion meant for the renovation of the National Assembly complex to the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as COVID-19 direct relief.

The organization suggests that a sum of N1 billion be allocated to each of the 36 states, and the FCT, Abuja, as COVID-19 reliefs and benefits to the countryโ€™s poorest and most vulnerable people.

The suggestion was contained in a letter dated April 11, 2020 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, sent to the leader of the red and green chambers of the National Assembly.

SERAP acknowledged what it described as the โ€œpatriotic steps and voluntary contributionsโ€ already made by the National Assembly towards fighting COVID-19 in the country.

It however urged leaders of the National Assembly โ€œto make major strides to national efforts to deal with one of the greatest threats facing the country by immediately redirecting the N37 billion to provide direct and tangible benefits to the poorest and most vulnerable people among us.โ€

According to the organization said: โ€œNigeria is at a crossroads and National Assembly leaders and members must now decide whether to continue to look after themselves and do little for the countryโ€™s poorest or make commitment to redirect the N37 billion to help ameliorate the suffering caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

โ€œWhile some of the authoritiesโ€™ responses to COVID-19 across the country may be necessary to stop the spread of the disease and save lives, we are concerned that the prevailing situation has taken its toll on the countryโ€™s poorest and most vulnerable people who continue to endure the grimmest of conditions in several states and the FCT.โ€

SERAPโ€™s appeal, read in part: โ€œWe also urge you to immediately advise President Muhammadu Buhari and Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to urgently implement your commitment to redirect the N37 billion to provide direct and tangible benefits and reliefs to the countryโ€™s poorest and most vulnerable people.

โ€œThe money must be spent now to serve the public good. Spending the N37 billion as proposed would increase the ability of states and FCT authorities to provide COVID-19 reliefs and benefits. It would not cause any budget deficit. But assuming it does, it would be a good deficit, as it would serve the public good.

โ€œGoing ahead to spend N37 billion to renovate the National Assembly complex even when COVID-19 is over would further undermine the social contract in Nigeria, and hurt the poorest and most vulnerable people across the 36 states and FCT, as it would limit the ability of the authorities to provide much needed benefits and support to these Nigerians, and undermine efforts to reduce the impact of the disease on the country.

โ€œGiving the N37 billion to states and FCT would be in the public interest at this time of national crisis, as it would improve the chances of the countryโ€™s poorest and most vulnerable people to live a life of dignity while obeying authoritiesโ€™ directives to stay at home.

โ€œWithout sufficient COVID-19 direct reliefs and monetary benefits to these Nigerians, many may be forced to turn to criminal activities as their only perceived options for surviving. Redirecting the N37 billion renovation fund would help to improve the conditions of the people.

โ€œWe urge you to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the civil society to monitor the spending of any redirected funds to the 36 states and FCT, to ensure that the funds are spent to support the poorest and most vulnerable people, such as pensioners, people living with disabilities (PWDs), and not diverted, stolen or mismanaged.

โ€œThe appalling quality of life, and rapidly growing levels of suffering among the countryโ€™s poorest and most vulnerable people are harmful to equity and undermine respect for human rights.

โ€œWe hope that the above would help guide your actions in immediately acting to redirect the N37 billion as proposed. We would be happy to discuss any of these issues in more detail with youโ€, the organization added.

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