Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has berated the Presidency for approving N3bn to verify National Social Register, an amount three times more than N908,699,435 budgeted for the National Library.
He said this on Wednesday in a post on his X handle, apparently reacting to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, that President Tinubu approved the release of the controversial N3bn to verify the National Social Register during Buhari’s administration.
Onanuga on Monday urged Nigerians to have restraint and patience, cautioning against a media trial, over the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N585m by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Betta Edu.
However, Obi said it is surprising to hear that N3bn 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,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor said 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,” Obi said.
