Bayelsa Residents Await Disbursement of N2bn Palliative Amid Allegations of Misuse
While several states across the country have distributed the N2 billion palliative funds and food items received from the federal government to ease the impact of subsidy removal, Bayelsa residents are yet to receive relief measures from the Senator Douye Diri-led government.
The federal government had allocated N2 billion from a N5 billion loan offered to each state as palliative to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
Despite confirming receipt of the fund and two trucks of food items, the Bayelsa State government has yet to announce any distribution plans.
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Concerns have arisen over allegations that the palliative resources might have been diverted for electoral purposes during the recently concluded off-cycle governorship election in the state.
A source close to the government claimed that portions of the food items, especially rice, were allegedly repackaged and distributed to various wards as incentives for vote-buying on the eve of the election.
Responding to queries during the transparency briefing for the months of June and July 2023, Timipre Seipulou, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Treasury Accounts & Revenue, stated that the government was formulating an expenditure plan and pledged accountability during the upcoming transparency briefing in December or January 2024.
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Civil rights advocate, Mr. David West, expressed dismay over the government’s silence regarding the palliative, citing the electioneering period as a reason for the lack of distribution.
However, he pointed out the sudden distribution of rice just days before the election, with images circulating showing government figures associated with the distribution.
The alleged misuse of the palliative resources has sparked concerns among residents who have yet to benefit from the relief measures, while questions linger regarding the transparent allocation of the funds and food items meant to alleviate the hardship caused by increased prices of essentials and transportation.
