On Monday, July 29, the federal government said that it has established locations around the nation where 50 kg bags of rice are offered for N40,000 per.
This was said by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, when addressing reporters on the results of President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He claimed that this is just one of the many programs being offered by the Tinubu administration, which eliminated the need for the next countrywide demonstration against the high cost of living.
He claims that by making many interventions, President Tinubu is already demonstrating on behalf of the individuals organizing the demonstration.
The minister stated that the FEC’s stance is that all of the demands made by the protest organizers have already been fulfilled.
According to Idris, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) holds the stance that the government is taking action on the majority of the demands made by the protestors, hence the government believes that more protests are not necessary.
“Because the government is already addressing or has already resolved the majority of the issues raised by the protestors. Furthermore, as we have shown time and time again, this government is attentive.
“The President has heard the opinions of everyone involved in organizing this demonstration. Additionally, the message is that it is not necessary.
As a matter of fact, the President is already advocating on their behalf by carrying out the actions people desire from a government.
“Take the steps the government is taking to guarantee that food is available. At the most recent Council meeting, we declared at the briefing that a number of trucks—exactly twenty—had been donated to the state governors for subsequent distribution to the most vulnerable members of society and those who genuinely need them.
Government, however, continued. Additionally, rice is being offered for almost half of its original price; a bag of rice is being sold right now.
“This rice is being sold for N40,000 and has been transported to different locations around the federation’s states. There are now centers. in order for those who require this rice to go there and purchase it for N40,000.
“As of right now, each of these states has access to roughly ten trucks, and this is only the beginning.
“I am aware that you may hear remarks to the effect that there is never enough. The government has not claimed that these supplies are sufficient. However, these are vital first steps, and in the interim, further interventions of this kind are being undertaken.
Naturally, given the amount of money being invested in the agriculture industry, this is, as I mentioned earlier, a temporary solution.
“The wet season has arrived as well. As investments are being made in several of these federation states for irrigation projects in addition to traditional agricultural output, we anticipate a decrease in the price of food goods.
Therefore, we anticipate that as time goes on, the cost of food and other necessities would naturally decrease.
These are some of the steps that the president and the federal executive council thinks will help some of the young people who wish to protest by giving them some of the answers they are seeking.
For instance, the federal government has just lately started to distribute student loans. More than two million pupils currently have a place reserved.
As of last week, just roughly 110,000 applications had been received. Naturally, there will be more.
Therefore, there is sufficient funding available for everyone who meets the requirements, has access to these loans, and has complied with this requirement.
“Mr. President wants to ensure that no young person or student who has been accepted into one of our postsecondary institutions is excluded because their guardian or parents are unable to cover their tuition costs.
“In addition, there is the provision that these young people are receiving. We are aware of the efforts being undertaken to guarantee that the MTT program places roughly 3 million of them in employment.
“There is also the reduction that the general people is expected to experience by the time the federal government’s CNG effort reaches its full potential.
A portion of these buses have already been imported. A portion of the conversion kits are currently in stock. The conversion centers are starting to operate already.
“You do not just walk to the market and grab these products off the shelves, which is partly why there are waits.
“First, the procedures for procurement must be followed. Of course, you also need to order them, but as we move from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the amount individuals spend on transportation is expected to drop by more than 60%.
It is anticipated that if you own a car, you will spend roughly 60% less and have more money in your pocket. However, commercial buses will initially be prioritized for mass transit, with the goal of lowering fares for workers and other users who need to travel.
“Now, considering all of the other things the government is doing, along with this one, we are pleading with individuals who plan to participate in this demonstration to please reconsider.
“That is simply unnecessary. Of course, everyone in Nigeria has the democratic right to participate in nonviolent protests. Furthermore, the government is not an enemy.
However, the government is working to make sure that even while you have the right to demonstrate, that right will stop when someone else’s starts.
Therefore, if you are considering protesting, the government is pleading with you to put it on hold for now. There is a significant chance that some unscrupulous groups may take advantage of this and turn it violent, which would be bad for Nigeria.
“Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there’s the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent.”
