Following the recent announcement by the Federal Government (FG) to empower the 36 states with N5,000,000,000 as palliatives to cushion impact of the petrol subsidy removal, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has harped on transparent implementation of the policy.

It suggested that comprehensive plans detailing how saved resources would be channelled for the betterment of the citizenry should be outlined.

The organisation held that a definite roadmap outlining how the funds are to be disbursed and monitored would check mismanagement and corruption.

Its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, therefore, urged the states to publish their implementation frameworks.

Furthermore, HEDA advised President Bola Tinubu to be proactive and ensure effectiveness of the programme.

The group said:  “Transparent budgeting and regular updates on utilisation of the funds will foster public trust and provide a mechanism for citizens to actively participate in overseeing the progress of projects aimed at easing the impact of the subsidy removal.”

“We propose the involvement of institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to serve as a monitoring and evaluation team for the execution of these projects.”

It charged relevant stakeholders, community associations, professional groups, religious institutions and artisan/labour unions to actively engage the process and demand transparent administration of the funds.

“This approach will undoubtedly enhance accountability, curb corruption and enhance the overall impact of the support initiative,” the body added.