“I Hope This Rice And Money Wey Dem Dey Share Go Reach Us?”, by Isaac Asabor

The question posed by a market woman in Ogba, Ikeja, “I hope this rice and money wey dem dey share go reach us?”, which is invariably the headline of this piece, captures the sentiments of many Nigerians who have witnessed the distribution of palliatives over the years, yet often find themselves on the receiving end of empty promises. This piece delves into the history of palliative distributions from the Buhari administration to the current Tinubu government, analyzing the effectiveness and reach of these efforts.

The Buhari administration, which spanned from 2015 to 2023, saw several initiatives aimed at alleviating the economic hardships faced by Nigerians. The distribution of palliatives was a key strategy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when the government introduced various measures to cushion the impact of lockdowns.

 The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, initiated conditional cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households. These transfers were meant to provide immediate financial relief during the pandemic. However, reports of irregularities in the distribution process, coupled with allegations of funds being siphoned by intermediaries, raised questions about the effectiveness of these transfers.

The government also embarked on the distribution of food items, including rice, beans, and other staples, to households across the country. However, the distribution process was marred by complaints of inadequate supply, favoritism, and even the hoarding of palliatives by government officials, leading to protests in some states.

Also, “TraderMoni”,  a  program designed to provide interest-free loans to petty traders across Nigeria was introduced to serve as palliative.  While it was lauded as a novel initiative, its impact was limited by poor implementation and allegations that the program was used as a political tool during election periods.

Again, “MarketMoni”,  similar to “TraderMoni”, was initiated, and  targeted small business owners with soft loans. Though intended to boost small-scale enterprises, the distribution of funds was uneven, and many beneficiaries were left in the dark about the program’s continuity.

Given the seeming thoughtless manner the palliative were disbursed in all their ramifications, little wonder not a few Nigerians are always skeptical and suspicious whenever the word, “Palliative” is mentioned.

For instance, when the former minister of finance, budget, and national planning, Zainab Ahmed, in April 2023, disclosed that Nigeria has secured a World Bank facility worth $800 million, saying the facility was the first tranche of palliatives to be disbursed through cash transfers to about 50 million Nigerians, who belong to the most vulnerable category in the society. Against the backdrop of the former minister’s disclosure,  not a few Nigerians spoke in hush-hush tone on the credibility of her disclosure against the backdrop of the fact that Nigeria’s population is estimated to be 233,231,648, as gathered from worldometer. (a digital media company based in the United States).

Considering the huge spectrum of Nigeria’s population that were said to have  benefitted from the palliatives, not a few people are struggling to come to terms with the reality of the fact that a whopping 50m Nigerians out the population of 233m plus benefitted from the palliatives without many people seeing people testifying that the monies were actually disbursed to them.

Also, many Nigerians were perplexed when President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in his speech aimed at calming the nerves of #EndBadGovernance protesters said that “More than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our nano-grant, but the assertion was refuted by the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.

Also, it will in this context be recalled that the confusion which trailed the Federal Government’s palliatives package to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory last year, was as a result of distribution hitches, alleged underhand dealings and inadequacy of the materials to meet the needs of Nigerians.

While some of the states took custody of the funds and food items earmarked for distribution to residents as palliatives, others could not receive such amid agitations by the citizens.

The confusion, or rather mix-up, came on the heel of the federal government’s announcement of the release of N180bn palliative package to states to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

For the sake of clarity at this juncture,  each state got N5bn and 180 trucks of rice as part of the measures put in place to assuage the pains of the subsidy removal.

In fact, with the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, Nigerians had renewed hopes for a more equitable distribution of palliatives, especially given the worsening economic conditions. Tinubu’s administration has since rolled out several initiatives aimed at providing immediate relief to the most vulnerable citizens.

Despite these efforts, the question remains: “I hope this rice and money wey dem dey share go reach us?” The answer, for many Nigerians, is a resounding “No.” The distribution of palliatives has often been hampered by inefficiencies, corruption, and a lack of transparency, leaving the majority of intended beneficiaries out in the cold.

As the Tinubu administration continues to roll out palliatives, there is a pressing need for greater accountability and oversight to ensure that these resources reach the people who need them most. Without this, the cycle of empty promises and unmet expectations is likely to continue, deepening the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.

The market woman’s question is not just a rhetorical one; it is a reflection of the deep-seated mistrust many Nigerians have in their government’s ability to deliver on its promises. To rebuild this trust, the government must take concrete steps to ensure that palliatives are distributed fairly, transparently, and effectively. Only then can the hope that “This rice and money go reach us” become a reality.

Given the foregoing, the government must conduct a thorough investigation into the distribution of palliatives, both past and present. This inquiry should not just be a matter of routine accountability but a moral obligation to the citizens who rely on these lifelines. It is imperative to trace the flow of these resources from the top down to ensure that they were not diverted by unscrupulous middlemen or lost in bureaucratic red tape.

Furthermore, the findings of such an investigation should be made public, and those found guilty of sabotaging these efforts must be held accountable. The failure to deliver on these promises not only deepens the trust deficit between the government and the people but also exacerbates the suffering of millions.

As the government rolls out new relief measures to combat the current economic challenges, it must ensure that the systems in place are transparent, efficient, and incorruptible. This is not just about providing immediate relief; it is about restoring faith in the government’s ability to protect and provide for its people.

The rationale behind this piece cannot be farfetched as Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The success or failure of these palliative programs will either pave the way for a more equitable and just society or further entrench the divisions that threaten our nation’s cohesion. The government must seize this opportunity to prove that it is indeed for the people, by ensuring that every Naira and every grain of rice reaches the hands that need it most.