Olisa Agbakoba, former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), says government cannot fund palliatives effectively because it is low on funds, hence other measures should be looked upon.
While commenting in a chat with Vanguard, on the palliative the government introduced following the removal of petrol subsidy, he said they should rather use institutional and policy measures.
“The real issue with palliative is that the government is broke. The government cannot fund palliatives effectively. I will rather prefer they use institutional and policy measures. I applaud the removal of VAT on the importation of diesel, but I will recommend that the government look at free school fees and medicals for all Nigerian students at all levels for two years.
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“That will be more effective than palliatives of N10,000–N20,000. I will go for institutional mechanisms that reduce burden.
“That is quantitativeism. So you look for a pocket of reforms that, if introduced, will have a national effect on income and outcomes. People won’t have to pay school fees and medical bills; they will feel the impact at once.
“You will see that, that is the most effective palliative. But when you are targeting a palliative of N7,000 to N20,000, how would you determine whether people get it or not? So, I am more for institution palliatives, which will be far more expensive than money palliatives,” he said.
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