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THE 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, in Chapter 2, provides Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which contain a litany of socio-economic rights. They include objectives on political, economic, social, educational, foreign policy, environmental, cultural, media, national ethics and duties of citizens.
Section 16(2) CFRN provides, “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring: (a) the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development; (b) that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good; (c) that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group; and (d) that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”
Chapter 1, precisely, Section 6(6)(c), on the other hand, cheapened Chapter 2 to be non-justiciable. It means they merely exist as goals and aims to governments for planning purposes and not actually rights that could be challenged in court of law. Succinctly, they are toothless bulldogs, leaving citizens in uncertainties.
Nonetheless, the Federal Government, amid the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic, introduced a stimulus package for citizens towards mitigating impacts of the lockdown it put in place as a protective measure. Inarguably, the lockdown crippled all sectors of the economy, particularly the private sector, leading to loss of jobs and collapse of small-scale businesses. Worst hit are low-scale traders, contract staff with unsecured jobs and artisans that depend largely on daily struggles for survival.
Regrettably, these clusters also have families with concomitant responsibilities as those that are less affected. From records, crime rate increased extremely in the polity to an extent where many residents had to form vigilante to checkmate spike of burglary and armed robbery, particularly at night. In Lagos, there were various terrorising groups that issued notices to communities prior to arrival with deadly weapons. The lockdown was indeed a big blow to the vulnerable masses.
The pandemic led to unprecedented disruptions to global supply chains, sharp drop in global crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets, banning of social events and restriction of movements of persons. Even schools and religious places of worship were not spared. It was an unprecedented ugly experience in this generation.
As intervention by the government, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unveiled a N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) as a stimulus package to support households and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By the concept, a citizen can access up to N25 million loan refundable in a good time frame of about three years on terms. Credibly, vulnerable citizens with robust plans can access up to N500,000 without collateral, unlike before, though with equitable annual interest.
This concept is exceptional and a credit to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many ambitious and hardworking citizens had died with their dreams as accessing loans from commercial banks and micro-finance banks was so challenging that the collateral for such loans often ended up killing the dreams. The system could be best described as ‘survival of the fittest.’
Over the years, practically, public officeholders never cared about the welfare of citizens and, even where some incentives existed, they were often hijacked and shared among government officials, politicians and relatives leaving out targeted helpless citizens in dire need. Meanwhile, Section 14(2)(b) supra provides, “…the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Now, with the COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility, serious-minded citizens can access and get support from government without the usual ‘who-you-know’ syndrome. It, therefore, suggests that government is gradually putting the people in its plan. However, the scheme should move beyond an intervention to a template that will outlive the COVID-19 pandemic. It is sustainable and secure by its structure, if government determinedly pays premium attention to it.
It means that many business owners, artisans and underprivileged masses being frustrated due to lack of capital can cheerfully go back to business. Impliedly, those with vocational skills but encumbered by startup capital have been rescued from the quagmire. Barbers, hairdressers, caterers, technicians and many others can proudly apply for soft loans to start up their businesses.
The crux of the matter is that the CBN/COVID-19 intervention scheme could be advanced to become a permanent template as a proactive social security system beyond the pandemic intervention. That will be a judicious means for numerous rights in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to be actualised. With that, citizens with talents and skills may no longer weep over lack of support from government. Beyond that, crime rate will reduce. The country can start from there until it advances to paying social security to citizens as done in some advanced countries.
Instructively, it must be noted that these credit facility/intervention loans are not meant to be swallowed by ‘snakes as in JAMB office’ on account of no collateral required. The bank verification number (BVN), a prerequisite for accessing the loans, is a robust tool for recovery when due. This is to say that only those actually in dire need should go for it.
For instance, telephone users now borrow airtime and data freely from telecom companies but whenever a recharge is done afterwards, it automatically recoups the loan first. Most likely, that’s how the loan scheme will operate. The moment repayment is due, through BVN device, any deposits into beneficiary’s bank accounts anywhere will automatically service the loan until completely recovered. Thus, if not seriously needed, it is dangerous to go for it. This is a digital age when debtors may not physically be pursued around over debts.
•Umegboro, public affairs analyst and associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, writes via [email protected]
