Falana, the Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), elaborated on these points in a personal statement released on Sunday.

He emphasised the need for these measures as crucial steps towards ushering in the new year 2024.

Falana said, “In view of the increased revenue for the three tiers of government, we are compelled to call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress and other civil society organizations to lead the Nigerian people in mass actions to demand for the provision of free health-care and education, affordable housing and transportation, increase in national minimum wage to match the rate of inflation, as well as adequate physical security, to herald new year 2024.”

In a personal statement titled ‘2023MORE FUNDS FOR GOVERNMENTS BUT MORE POVERTY FOR THE PEOPLE,’ Falana emphasized the necessity of providing free healthcare and education, affordable housing and transportation, a national minimum wage increase in line with inflation rates.

Falana urged the NLC, TUC, and civil society organizations to lead mass actions, considering the increased revenue for the three tiers of government, demanding essential services for the people.

He noted, “We are compelled to call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress and other civil society organisations to lead the Nigerian people in mass actions to demand the provision of free health care and education, affordable housing and transportation, an increase in the national minimum wage to match the rate of inflation, as well as adequate physical security, to herald the new year 2024.”

Falana highlighted the significant increase in revenue for federal, state, and local governments, urging organizations to address the economic challenges faced by the masses and demand essential improvements in their livelihoods.

Falana said, “In his inaugural address delivered on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the immediate removal of fuel subsidy. In justifying the fuel subsidy removal, the President stated that “Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall, instead, re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.”

“We have confirmed that since the removal of fuel subsidy, the monthly statutory allocations payable to the federal, state, and local governments have increased phenomenally. The development was confirmed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Wale Edun, when he said that “the Federation Account witnessed improved revenue inflow since the removal of subsidy from an average of N650 billion monthly to over N1 trillion in the last four months.

“The disclosure was made by Mr. Wale Edun on November 20, 2023, at a four-day retreat organised for members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

“The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed the sum of N1.89 trillion to the three tiers of government in July 2023, and the sum of N1.7 trillion was disbursed to them in December 2023. It is common knowledge that while the Federal and State Governments are smiling to the banks, the masses are groaning in excruciating economic pain. In fact, while top public officers are living in opulence, the masses are asked to continue to tighten their belts.

He concluded by stating, “In view of the increased revenue for the three tiers of government, we are compelled to call on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress and other civil society organisations to lead the Nigerian people in mass actions to demand the provision of free health care and education, affordable housing and transportation, increase in the national minimum wage to match the rate of inflation, as well as adequate physical security, to herald the new year 2024.”