As Bauchi State Government confirmed receiving N2bn palliative from the Federal Government, each citizen of the state is entitled to N306, a WikkiTimes analysis has shown.
The Federal Government approved N5bn palliative to each of the 36 states of the federation including FCT to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on poor Nigerians.
State governors are expected to use the funds to procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize and fertilizer to be distributed to low-income earners, who are most affected by subsidy removal through the State Social Registers.
Similarly, 52 percent of the funds is given to states as grants while 48 percent is a loan. The funds are being released in tranches. Some states confirmed receiving N2bn as part of the first tranche of the disbursement.
For instance, Bauchi State Executive Council confirmed receiving N2bn palliative from the Federal Government.
Earlier, the state Governor Bala Muhammad set up a committee under his Deputy, Auwal Jatau and sadled with the responsibility of procuring and distributing palliatives to deserving citizens.
“We have set up a Committee under the chairmanship of my Deputy with the Head of Service, Chief of staff, the Emir Of Bauchi, and Stakeholders for the Commencement of the implementation of the palliation programmes of the federal government by states,” the governor said while inaugurating the committee.
However, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), projected the population of Bauchi State to be 6,537,314 people. Therefore, if N2bn is applied to the population, each person, regardless of age and sex, will pocket N306 only.
Similarly, the release of palliative funds came at a time when the prices of foodstuffs and other materials skyrocketed.
For instance, WikkiTimes checks reveal that a measure of sales N1,400 and N800 goes for maize.
