Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan wey dey represent Kogi Central don raise serious question for Federal Government over wetin she describe as unclear plan inside the 2026 to 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. According to her, government talk say dem wan “mop up funds” take support private sector, but explanation no clear at all, especially as Nigerians dey already complain about high tax and cost of living.
The senator raise the matter during one interactive session for National Assembly, where Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, come explain government plan and direction for economy. Natasha no hide her concern as she say the statement about mopping up funds sound vague and no reassure businesses or ordinary Nigerians.
She explain say people dey already feel pressure from different taxes, levies and charges, so government need to clearly tell Nigerians where the money go come from. According to her, if government talk say dem wan gather money, dem suppose explain whether na from more taxes, duties, levies, dormant accounts or another source entirely.
Natasha also talk say clarity dey very important so that Nigerians no go feel say government wan push more burden give citizens under another name. She stress say private sector players need to understand how the support go work, who go qualify, and wetin go be the terms.
The senator further ask how businesses go even access the funds. She raise question whether na banks go handle am with high interest rates, or whether government dey plan grants or low-interest loans. She also ask how government go select beneficiaries and whether small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs go truly benefit or if na only big companies go see the money.
Another key issue wey Natasha raise na whether the funds go actually fix real problems wey dey worry businesses. She say support no suppose just be cash alone, but also include things like stable electricity, good roads, internet access and other basic infrastructure wey businesses need to survive and grow. According to her, if these things no dey addressed, giving money alone no go solve the problem.
In response, Minister Wale Edun explain say government dey look at how other countries like South Korea, Singapore and China take grow their economies. He say those countries focus on mobilising domestic savings, meaning say citizens save part of their income and invest am back into productive sectors instead of consuming everything.
Edun also talk say government dey discuss idea of national savings scheme. According to him, the scheme go be voluntary and no go be tax or compulsory contribution. He explain say the idea na to give people opportunity to earn returns while their savings help support development programmes across the country.
However, despite the explanation, many details still no clear. The minister no fully explain where exactly the funds go come from, how people go access am, or how government go deploy am to truly help private businesses.
Natasha questions don reflect wider concern inside Senate as lawmakers continue to examine the MTEF ahead of the 2026 budget. Many of dem believe say without clear policies and transparency, economic plans fit create more confusion instead of confidence.
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