TheCable

Shina Peller, a former house of representatives member, says the provisions made by President Bola Tinubu to cushion the impact of petrol subsidy removal, is “better than nothing”.

Peller spoke on Friday in Abuja, after he was bestowed with the ‘Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth (GCNY)’ title by the national youth council of Nigeria (NYCN), Nigerian youths in politics (NYP), and Arewa concerned youth forum (ACYF), among others.

President Tinubu had asked the national assembly to approve an $800 million loan to ameliorate the hardship on the people.

Tinubu said 12 million households would receive N8,000 monthly from the loan that is being sourced from the World Bank.

Another N500 billion was appropriated by the national assembly in an amendment to the 2022 supplementary budget.

The former lawmaker said apart from the aforementioned provisions, the Tinubu administration should provide more relief packages to ease the economic hardship on Nigerians.

“I think the palliative of N500 billion is still better than nothing but I believe that as time goes on, we should be able to get more from the president,” he said.

“The pressure that the people are mounting on the president must have pushed him to make that decision for palliatives for the people.”

Peller said the federal government should diversify the economy by investing in the country’s creative industry which will provide jobs for the youths.

“Every country that has done so well has invested in their youth. I will advise the present administration to look into the direction of youths by strengthening the creative industry,” he said.

“Strengthening the creative industry means that there will be so much employment for the unemployed youth and the country will have an alternative way of generating revenue.”

Speaking earlier, Solomon Adodo, president of the NYC, said they were recognising Peller because of his contribution to the development of young people.