- To Begin Distribution Of Rice, Beans, Garri, Maize, Others This Week Nationwide-Minister
- Urges Nigerians To Back Tinubu’s Government In Its Quest To Address Challenges Facing The Country
- Shettima Laments, Says Tinubu Government Facing Challenging, Difficult Task Of Fixing Nigeria
As part of moves by the Federal Government to cushion the biting economic hardship experienced by Nigerians, the Federal Government will begin the distribution of grains including Rice, Garri, Beans, Millet, sorghum, maize, others nationwide this week.
The Matrix reports that since the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, two major policies by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, the cost of living in Nigeria has reached new highs with many Nigerians on their knees.
This development has led to protests in several parts of the country as Nigerians sought the government’s attention to address the economic hardship. Several warehouses and food trucks have also been looted in some places.
A few days ago, the Nigeria Labour Congress staged a nationwide protest to call the government’s attention to the suffering of Nigerians.
“All we are saying now is that; let there be food for the people, let the people live in safety, let the people live a life of dignity devoid of suffocating IMF/World Bank economic policies,” the labour group had said.
But the Federal Government had repeatedly called for patience, assuring that the reforms by the Tinubu-led administration are set to yield fruit.
Reacting to the biting hardship, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari on Monday disclosed that the Federal Government will begin the distribution of grains nationwide to cushion the impacts of the hardship in Nigeria.
He expressed worries over the recent looting of the ministry’s warehouse in Abuja over the weekend.
READ ALSO: Kyari Dashes Nigerian’s Hopes, Says Working Refineries Not Guarantee Of Reduction In Petrol Price
Taking to his official X Platform on Monday, Kyari wrote; “Dear Fellow Nigerians, in these trying times, I extend my sincere compassion to those affected by the hardships in the country. I understand the gravity of the situation, especially with the unfortunate event of foodstuff warehouse looting.
“Amidst these challenges, I want to assure you that our commitment to your well-being remains resolute. We shall commence the distribution of 42,000 metric tons of grains, as approved by Mr. President, across the 36 states of the federation as one of the programs to be rolled out this week.
“We are working hand in hand with NEMA and the DSS to ensure that the grains get to the right people in the right packages and quantities. Furthermore, 58,500 metric tons of milled rice from mega rice millers will also be released into the market for stabilization.”
The minister, who hailed the resilience of the Nigerian people, urged them to back President Bola Tinubu’s government in its quest to address the challenges facing the country.
“I acknowledge the strength of the Nigerian people, and it is this resilience that will guide us through these difficult times. Let us stand together to support Mr. President in his strive for a better Nigeria,” Kyari said.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Govt to commence distribution of grains across states
“Our government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to addressing these challenges and working towards a more secure and prosperous future for all.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that President Tinubu’s administration is facing the difficult and challenging task of fixing the problems confronting Nigeria.
Shettima said the current administration has no plans of deceiving Nigerians or making life more difficult for citizens.
This was as he assured that the current economic challenges confronting the country would soon be over.
He spoke yesterday in Lagos during the 29th pre-Ramadan lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, UMA, with the theme, “Economic Reforms for Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for the Future.”
Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Vice President urged Nigerians to react to the current realities “in a responsible and mature manner.”
He said: “Yet, my brothers and sisters, we do not have the choice of continuing in the direction that brought us where we are today. We have to fix this country, and failure to do this is not an option. All the options we have are difficult and challenging, and they are, without a doubt, more telling on the poor. If there are easier and reliable alternatives to the policy choices we have adopted, we would have adopted them.
“Our administration does not plan to make the lives of Nigerians more difficult. Nor do we intend to deceive fellow citizens that the change in direction and the expected outcome can be achieved without pain or sacrifices.
“We are also acutely aware that ours is a set of related Nigerian problems, and the solutions we seek must be genuinely informed by a Nigerian context, not the experiences of others or the preferences of special foreign interests which are removed from consequences of mis-steps or errors of judgement.
“We expect that Nigerians should express their feelings over our circumstances in a responsible and mature manner. We are also a deeply religious people, and we believe in the powers of faith and prayers.”
