.The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for $800 million borrowing from the World Bank.
The president’s request was in a letter read by Godswill Akpabio, Senate President, at the plenary on Thursday.
Tinubu, in the letter, explained that the loan would be used to scale up the national social safety net programme.
Attached with the request was a decision by the federal government to transfer the sum of N8,000 monthly to 12 million poor and low-income households for six months.
He said the money would be transferred directly to identified beneficiaries’ accounts.
The president’s letter stated in part: “Please note that the federal executive council led by President Muhammadu Buhari approved an additional loan facility to the tune of $800 million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net programme, Copy of FEC’s extract attached.
“You may also wish to note that the purpose of the facility is to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This will assist them in coping with basic needs.
“You may further wish to note that under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the federal government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of N8,000 per month to 12 million poor and low income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.
“In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries’ accounts and mobile wallets.
“It is expected that the programme, will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector, and improve nutrition, health, education, and human capital development of beneficiaries’ households.
“Given the above, I wish to invite the Senate to kindly grant approval for the additional loan facility of $800 million to be secured from World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme.
“While hoping that this submission will receive expeditious consideration by the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”
Before approving the request, the Senate went into a closed session to brainstorm and give the request accelerated passage.
The President’s letter was read during Plenary by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, faulted President Tinubu’s plans, saying it runs contrary to the works of the Presidential Technical Committee on the removal of Subsidy.
NLC and TUC argued that it is not only undemocratic but shows that the president is merely setting up the committee as a window dressing for whatever purposes he has set out for himself, stating, “Any palliative payment must be in line with the agreement reached with labour in line with the technical committee meeting.”
