Speaker House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make cash grants available to the 774 local government areas in the country to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

According to the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, “The House also calls on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as part of its Policy Measures in Response to the COVID-19 outbreak, to immediately direct cash grants to the seven hundred and seventy-four (774) Local Government Area administrations in the country to provide food and other essentials to at-risk individuals and communities.”

This was contained in a statement where the members of the House of Representatives announced their resolve to donate their two months salary to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

He said the donation will be independent of the contributions by individual lawmakers to alleviate the hardship that their constituents face as a result of the pandemic.

Gbajabiamila noted that starting from March, the lawmakers’ donation will be transferred directly to the National Relief Fund account for the fight against COVID-19.

“We have in the House of Representatives jointly committed to contributing one hundred percent (100%) of our salaries for the next two months to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria”.

“Our contribution will support provisions for the welfare of frontline medical professionals and health workers, and other interventions to provide for the wellbeing of all Nigerians through these trying times”.

“Accordingly, I have directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to see to it that all members’ salaries are transferred to the National Relief Fund for this month and the next,” the Speaker said.