Initiate, support developmental bills for Nigeria, Ogun West district, Senator Adeola urged

Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and senator representing Ogun West at the National Assembly, Olamilekan Adeola, has been urged to initiate and support bills that seek to bring development to the country, particularly his senatorial district.

The charge was given by a socio-economic development advocate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the district, Engr Gbenga Akinwande, in a statement made available to Tribune Online.

Congratulating him on his recent appointment, Akinwande urged Senator Adeola to ensure a comprehensive social security bill is enshrined in Nigeria’s law to replace the various palliative initiatives of the government and politicians. 

While noting that palliatives are good political strategy to boost the image of politicians, he added that it is a bad economic strategy that portends great danger to the nation. 

“Palliative strategy is not viable option for a developing economy like ours, because it hampers economic growth. On the other hand, it puts unnecessary pressure on the political leaders because the money for palliatives will have to come from budget padding, which on the other hand causes unnecessary economic burden for the state.

“Rather, we should begin thinking of credit economic patterns for our citizens as applicable in the western democracies, where citizens have access to credit facilities for materials, tools, equipment, and machineries to facilitate their trades and professions, while in the process jobs are created and the economy is expanded. 

“Thus, it is imperative to pass a bill into law for a productive social and economic security recovery programme that will make the poor in our society productive, while enjoying some little benefits from the state during their training and inductions,” Akinwande, a former House of Representatives aspirant said.

He hinted further that what the government should do is open job centers with not fewer than six offices in each local government areas and based on size of the council area with the hope of training citizens for employment and trades, and facilitate social security benefits to citizens. 

The Ayetoro-born politician further advised the presidency to make the proposed N8,000 palliative to poor families temporary, adding that in the long run, Nigerians above 65 years of age and without pension should be paid N5,000 monthly stipend while all unemployed citizens  should report to the job centers for identification, training and continuous engagement in their various areas of trade and field and monthly allowance is paid them.

He said: “Funding these endeavours is capital expensive, but this is achievable by closing all the loopholes and leakages in revenue generation and raising taxes wherever it is possible.

“Vital to the success of this programme is a viable local government system, where prosperity can trickle down to the poor. The pronounced economic hardship in our country can be traced down to lack of competition and dearth of local government since 2003.”

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