In a startling revelation, former Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi has sounded the alarm bells over the mind-boggling approval of N3 billion for the verification of the national register of the poor. Obi, known for his fiscal prudence advocacy, expressed incredulity over what he deems a profligate move, asserting that such occurrences can only happen in Nigeria.
Obi, a staunch advocate for the urgent need to address the cost of governance in the country, emphasized the critical nature of dealing decisively with this issue. His remarks were punctuated by disbelief at the stark contrast in budget allocations, pointing out that the approved N3 billion for the verification of the national register of the poor is more than three times the budget for the National Library, which was pegged at N908,699,435.
The seasoned politician and financial expert questioned the allocation, particularly when the nation is in dire need of manpower training to enhance workforce productivity. Lamenting the seemingly abandoned state of the National Library, which lacks essential books and educational materials, Obi drew attention to the significant impact the same amount could have made if prudently and transparently managed.
Obi’s critical stance on the approved funds for the verification process stems from the belief that such colossal amounts, if redirected, could contribute substantially to poverty alleviation. In a country where over half of the population grapples with absolute and multidimensional poverty, he questioned the necessity of such a staggering sum solely for the verification of a register when it could be directed towards tangible poverty alleviation efforts.
The former presidential candidate raised a fundamental query: why has data for poverty alleviation not been regularly verified? He urged decision-makers to put money first and concentrate on vital aspects of national security and development, claiming that failing to do so adds to the problems the country is currently facing.
Peter Obi made a powerful plea for leaders to put the welfare of society ahead of their own comfort, especially for the underprivileged, in a moving speech. He issued a warning, saying that in the absence of such a paradigm change, the country will still be dealing with a wide range of social problems brought on by the high rates of poverty that the general public is experiencing. Obi’s disclosure highlights how urgent it is to reassess expenditure priorities in order to support a more affluent and equitable future for Nigeria.
