The House of Representatives has clarified that lawmakers are not given the funds for palliatives provided for their constituencies saying they are only allowed to be a part of the process.
The House of Representatives has clarified that lawmakers are not responsible for the procurement and distribution of palliatives to members of their constituency.
Rather, the green chamber revealed that the responsibility is handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security while lawmakers are only visible during the process of distribution to rightfully take the credit for bringing succour to the people.
The House of Representatives disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Rep. Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti).
The House indicated that the procurement process has different stages depending on the constituency, noting that no legislator has, nor will be given any money for palliatives.
“The pro-people position of the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen Ph.D. – led House of Representatives, on the need for the Federal Government to expedite palliative measures to support vulnerable Nigerians, is well documented. This is on account of the hardship Nigerians are experiencing following the removal of fuel subsidies last year,” the statement read.
“Our leadership successfully lobbied for additional palliatives for our constituents across the country, which is being handled by the federal ministry of agriculture and food security, in line with extant public procurement laws.
“As it is customary during this season, Honourable Members, in their respective constituencies, celebrate with their constituents in various ways, in individual capacities. These gestures should not be misconstrued as palliatives, and Honourable Members will continue to engage at the grassroots to clarify these issues in order not to cause disaffection for colleagues in other constituencies.
“The procurement process is at different stages depending on the constituency, but to be clear, no legislator has, nor will be given any money for palliatives. While, as politicians, Honourable Members may be visible during the process of distribution, and rightfully take the credit for bringing succour to the people, the procurement and distribution of the palliatives is being handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,” the statement read in part.
In the past, members of the House have made demands for the provision of palliatives for members of their constituency on numerous occasions.
Recently, the House sought N100m palliative for residents of Ngwogwo, Amaokwe, Okue and Amaeke Communities of Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State alongside shelter and alternative means of livelihood pending the completion of the Ivo Dam in the state.
In a similar vein, it also called for the provision of palliatives for victims of flash floods in Wudil Local Government in Kano state.
