As Nigeria grapples with challenges of poverty and underdevelopment, there is a growing concern amongst citizens about the government’s approach to addressing these nagging issues.
The recent announcement by the Federal Government’s plan to kick-start direct payments to the poorest of the poor and vulnerable persons in our midst have sparked outrage, with many questioning the effectiveness of such short-sighted measures.
As a concerned Nigerian, I like to join others in calling for a halt to these direct payments and a shift towards a more robust and sustainable approach.
The current approach of distributing palliatives and direct payments are seen as ineffective and wasteful. I believe instead of investing in capital projects that could significantly improve the country’s food production, agriculture-wise, and industries, the government is spending billions on short-term relief measures. No, it is not it.
For instance, the government estimated ₦8000 to 12 million households, that comes to ₦96 billion is a drop, an insignificant drop that will have no impact. That amount could be put to better, or judicious, use in developing infrastructure and industries that would create long-term benefits for Nigerians.
It is time for a change in our approach to governance. We cannot continue to rely on short-term relief measures that have very little effect of taking our people out of poverty. The measure, unfortunately only serves to perpetuate a cycle of dependency on government. It should be discouraged. We need to invest in projects with long term benefits that will truly transform our country and improve the lives of our people.
Why Are We So Short-Sighted in Nigeria?
In recent times, the conversation on governance in Nigeria has taken a critical dimension, with questions arising from the short-sightedness on the part of the populace in expecting relief materials from their leaders, a short-term approach which in reality is not the best. Whereas we should focus on providing sustainable and lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the country. One glaring example of this short-sightedness is the tendency by political leaders to prioritize short-term relief measures over long-term, sustainable solutions. This is a wrong perception.
Governors and other political leaders are often seen sharing palliatives to the populace as a way of showcasing their commitment to the welfare of the people. While this gesture may provide temporary relief to some, it does not address the real causes of poverty, hunger, and lack of basic amenities that the people desperately need.
It is our right to have access to quality education, food on our table, clean water, electricity, and other basic necessities of life and the populace are not asking for too much, if you asked me. These are not favors bestowed on us; in fact, these are fundamental requirements expected in a sane and flourishing society.
Therefore, we should stop celebrating these artificial relief measures. Rather we should be demanding workable policies and projects that will enhance and improve our standard of living in the long term.
Our leaders should focus on delivering projects that will stand the test of time and provide lasting benefits to the community.
For instance, instead of donating solar lighting that may not last more than five months or so, our political leaders should consider investing in projects that would provide alternative sources of sustained power supply. The recent commissioning of a power plant in Abia State by the Otti led administration is a point in view. It is a commendable and lasting solution that will kick-start industrial revolution in the State. Of course, power supply is the live wire of an enduring industrialisation.
We cannot afford to settle for short-term solutions that do not address our peculiar problems. There is therefore an urgent need to adopt a forward-thinking approach that will go a long way in assisting our leaders to plan and execute workable policies that will bring about an enduring change in our society.
It is certainly not a bad idea if the government stops recycling of old faces in governance. The Nigerian populace supports and encourages the governments at all levels to appoint fresh and digital based professionals that will execute these envisaged purposeful agenda of government that will impact lasting benefits to the people. It is time for the government to hearken to the cries, the cries hunger in the land.
In conclusion, Nigerians demand for an end to this ad hoc approach – by way of palliative and introduce a shift towards purposeful developmental-focused spending habits. Palliative should give way to a lasting solution mechanism. And this sounds reasonable and appealing.
