On Monday, the Federal Government announced the establishment of centers nationwide where Nigerians can acquire a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000.
This information was disclosed by the Minister of
Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing
regarding the outcomes of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by
President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Idris emphasized that this initiative is part of various
measures implemented by the Tinubu administration aimed at improving the living
standards of citizens.
Consequently, he contended that the planned nationwide
protests set to commence on August 1 are unwarranted, asserting that “President
Tinubu is already advocating on behalf of the people.” The minister further
stated that all the demands put forth by the protest organizers are being
addressed.
“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that
the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal
Government and, therefore, it is the view of the government that there is
really no need for the protests again.
“Most of the things that the protesters are putting forward
are already being addressed by the government. And like we have said
repeatedly, this is a listening government.
“The President has listened to the voices of all planning
this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the
President is already protesting on their behalf by doing what they want the
government to do,” said Idris.
He listed the latest initiatives by the Federal Government,
which delivered 740 trucks of grains to various states. He declared that 50kg
bags of rice are now available for purchase at designated centers across the
country for N40,000.
Idris said, “For example, at the last Council meeting, we
announced that 20 trucks had been given to each state governor for onward
distribution to those who actually needed them, to the poorest of the poor in
society.
“But the government did not stop. Rice is also being sold at
about 50 per cent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak. This
rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation
and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need
this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made
available to each of these states; indeed, this is just the beginning. I know
that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. The government
has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are
necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are
being made in the interim.”
He said the FG expects the price of food items to reduce
since “the rainy season is here.”
“We expect that the prices of food items will come down as
investments are also being made in traditional agricultural production and
irrigation activities in many of these states in the federation,” Idris added.
The minister cited the student loan scheme the expected
disbursement of CNG kits as part of efforts to ease the cost of living.
However, he blamed unavoidable logistical impediments for
the delay in the rollout of the CNG buses.
“Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of
the conversion kits are already available. The conversion centers are already
beginning to get active.
“The delays are largely because you don’t just go to the
market and get these things off the shelves.
“First, the procurement processes have to be followed. And
then, of course, you have to place an order for them. It is envisaged that as
we make the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, there is going to be a
reduction of over 60 per cent in the cost that people put in transportation,”
he explained.
Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has
stated that the 13-month-old administration has achieved significant progress
considering its short time in office. He stressed the importance of eliminating
the fuel subsidy as a crucial measure to tackle long-standing issues in
Nigeria's energy sector.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted the implementation of new policies
that promote local trade in crude oil and refined products, aiming to attract
investments, generate employment opportunities, and bolster Nigeria's energy
self-sufficiency.
Additionally, he pointed out that the unification of
exchange rates has contributed to enhancing economic stability, encouraging
foreign direct investment, and empowering local governments, ultimately driving
grassroots development.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking to reporters
following the approval of the minimum wage bill, also cautioned against chaos,
underscoring the government's inability to afford the reconstruction of damaged
infrastructure.
“You have a right to
protest. But you don’t have a right to destabilise the country. The right to
protest should not be turned into the right to unleash violence. It’s very
clear that people who are behind this are very amorphous, very faceless. So
what it means is people are preparing to loot and go around and do all sorts of
things.
“Where we are today was not caused by one year’s
administration. It is the outcome of years of insecurity. So my appeal to the
Nigerian youth is do not allow any group to mislead you politically. People who
probably do not have their fortunes in 2023 election are thinking they can come
through the back door and that will amount to anarchy.
“Any destruction of any property will cause Nigeria money.
We don’t have the money. Instead, let’s put the money in developing you and
developing your environ instead of going to rebuild,” Akpabio stated.