Two senators have urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to increase its proposed monthly allowance for unemployed Nigerians from N5,000, saying the amount was inadequate for alleviating their hardship.

The senators, who are Peoples Democratic Party members, said in Abuja, that APC should evolve a better welfare scheme that would assuage the pains of the unemployed and aged.

According to Foster Ogola (PDP-Bayelsa West), while the N5,000 monthly stipend promised by the APC is a good idea, it is not the solution to the needs of the people.

“The N5,000 palliative promised by the APC led government is not the solution to the endemic problem of poverty in the country; we have to teach Nigerians how to fish, not just give them fish.

“There must be a proper welfare scheme that takes care of the aged, who have served Nigeria; people, who have not received their entitlement, neither gratuity nor pension benefits.

“A soldier, for instance, cannot fight and after 35 years, still have to struggle to get his entitlement.

“As it is done abroad, the moment you are 70 years or more, you are entitled to free medical care; they are called the ‘seniors’ and they don’t pay transport fare,’’ he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes