Breaking: NEC dumps Buhari’s social register amidst Fuel Subsidy

In a significant move, the National Economic Council (NEC) has decided to discard the national social register utilized during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Citing concerns over its credibility, the council, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the decision during a meeting held at the state house on Thursday.

The national social register, which was previously employed to assess and provide assistance to vulnerable citizens, has faced criticism over its efficacy and accuracy. As a result, NEC has opted to explore alternative methods to address social welfare and uplift the lives of the less privileged.

Under the new proposed system, the NEC will introduce a cash transfer programme for states based on their individual social registers. This approach aims to streamline and tailor social support, ensuring that the most deserving individuals and families receive targeted aid. By utilizing state-level registers, the program seeks to enhance efficiency and better identify beneficiaries in need.

Moreover, NEC members also discussed and agreed on the implementation of a cash reward policy for public servants for a period of six months. The rationale behind this initiative is to motivate and incentivize public servants to deliver improved services to the citizens.

The cash reward policy aims to boost morale among civil servants and create a conducive environment for better governance and efficient service delivery.

During the meeting, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the distribution of social benefits. He urged all stakeholders involved in the cash transfer program to adhere to strict guidelines and ensure that aid reaches those who genuinely require assistance.

The decision to discard the former social register and embrace the new cash transfer program and reward policy was met with mixed reactions among various stakeholders.

While some praised the move as a step towards more effective welfare initiatives, others raised concerns about the potential challenges in the implementation process.