MORE reactions has continued trailing the plan by
the federal government to disburse the over $300
million fund repatriated from the accounts of
former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha in
Switzerland to poor Nigerians.
The National Coordinator of the Open Government
Partnership (OGP), Nigeria and Special Assistant
to the President on Justice Reforms, Juliet
Ibekaku-Nwagwu on Wednesday, June 20, 2018
disclosed the government’s plan to share the
funds to poor Nigerians.
Mrs Nwagwu said under the MoU with
Switzerland, the money would be paid directly
into the accounts of the poorest Nigerians
through their various accounts for two years.
The aide stated that this would be done through
identification numbers to be made available on
the website being developed by the National
Social Investment office and the World Bank.
She explained that the agencies working on the
modalities would brief the public on June 28,
adding that the process for the payment will be
transparent for civil society and the media to
monitor.
“The poorest members of the community will be
registered online, and before you make any
payment, they must have an ID number so that
every payment would be tracked.
“No amount will be paid out without a joint
signature between Nigeria and the World Bank
and without identification of individuals.
“If there is anything we have achieved, it’s about
getting Nigerian citizens to become conscious
about what is happening with their money”, she
said.
This move has not gone down well with some
Nigerians who protested against the plan.
Those of them on social media have questioned
how the government will identify poor Nigerians
accusing the government of using this as a way
to reloot the funds.
They instead urged the government to divert the
funds to develop power sector, fuel and solve
other challenges in the country.
Among them is Senator Shehu Sani who
represents Kaduna Central at the Senate. For him
the disbursement will be impossible as it won’t
get to the poorest Nigerians.
Sani who made his opinion known in a tweet on
Saturday, suggested that the money should be
used to finance a project Nigerians will see with
their physical eyes.
“Sharing $350 million recovered loot to 180
million Nigerians is impossible,” Sani said.
“It will end up with beneficiaries whose names will
be given by Governors, Ministers, Lawmakers and
the President’s men.
“Let it be tied to a project Nigerians can see with
their ‘Korokoro eyes’,” Sani opined.