Deputy Minority Leader of the Ogun State Assembly, Hon. Lukmon Atobatele, has called on the State government to involve the members of the State House of Assembly in the sharing of the palliatives, sent by the federal government, to reduce the effect of the subsidy removal policy.
Hon Atobatele, also advised the State government not to politicise or monopolise the process of distribution of the grains, and money donated to the State by the federal government.
The grassroots politician and leading opposition member of the State House of Assembly, made the call in Abeokuta, while reacting to the announcement made by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi that the State has received the federal government palliatives.
The lawmaker who commended the state government for acknowledging the consignments, said “members of the Assembly are closer to the people in their constituents, thus the need to carry them along is very important.”
He noted that, “though the SSG assured that the distribution would have nothing to do with political or religious affiliations, but however it may become political, if only the ruling party is made to decide solely, how to distribute the palliatives “.
The legislature said “the Assembly should be involved in the distribution to ensure it gets directly to residents whom the palliatives are meant for and not members of the ruling political party alone.”
Hon Atobatele, lamented over the present economic hardship the people are facing , saying “our people now find it hard to eat three square meals or meet basic needs”.
“It is a trying time and we must be committed and transparent to our people. This must not be turned to a party affair. What happened during the COVID-19 period should not repeat itself. The names of committee members to decide the sharing of the palliatives must be in the open to know who and who are responsible”.