The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has issued a call for transparency and accountability in the allocation and usage of the five billion Naira palliatives allocated to states by the Federal Government.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, the Chairman of HEDA, emphasised the need for clear and open management of the funds.
The recent announcement by the federal government, on August 17, to provide five billion Naira to each state across the nation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as palliatives in response to the fuel subsidy removal prompted HEDA’s call for comprehensive strategies to ensure that the resources are utilised effectively for the welfare of citizens.
Suraju highlighted that the removal of the petrol subsidy necessitates a well-structured plan for resource allocation, with particular emphasis on preventing any mismanagement, diversion, or corruption, as witnessed in past initiatives like SURE-P.
HEDA urged state governments to present detailed implementation plans that demonstrate their commitment to responsible resource allocation.
Additionally, the organization called upon President Bola Tinubu to take proactive measures in ensuring the efficacy and transparency of the financial support initiative, by collaborating with the fund administrators.
Suraju proposed, “Transparency in budgeting and regular updates on fund utilisation will not only foster public confidence but also establish a mechanism for citizens to actively oversee the progress of projects aimed at mitigating the impact of the subsidy removal.”
“We recommend the involvement of institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to act as a monitoring and evaluation team for project execution.”
HEDA encouraged all stakeholders, including community associations, professional groups, religious institutions, and labour unions, to engage in the process and demand transparent and accountable fund administration. This approach, the organisation stressed, would enhance accountability, curb corruption, and amplify the overall effectiveness of the support initiative.
HEDA urged government agencies, Civil Society Organisations, and the general public to work collaboratively to ensure that the allocated funds are judiciously utilised in alignment with their intended objectives.
