The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has passionately appealed to Nigerians to shelve planned protest as the government is on its toes to bring about a lasting solution to the ailing economy.
Akume, who stated this during a ministerial press briefing on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to pursue the path of peace and stability while he also acknowledged the dual challenges facing Nigeria: economic hardships stemming from necessary policy reforms and the need for improved security. He noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to transforming these challenges into opportunities for growth.
Highlighting the government’s focus on economic prosperity, Akume stated that peace is essential for fostering trust and enabling businesses to thrive. He outlined several initiatives aimed at alleviating the impact of recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies. The administration has allocated five billion Naira to each state to support vulnerable populations and approved a temporary wage increase for workers. Additionally, a new minimum wage of 70,000 Naira has been enacted, reflecting a significant increase from the previous rate.
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To address food security, the government is distributing grains to states and has removed tariffs on imported food. Furthermore, subsidies for agricultural inputs like fertilizers are being provided to boost production.
Akume also discussed infrastructure development, noting ongoing projects aimed at improving transportation and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. The government is committed to enhancing local government autonomy to ensure grassroots development.
Akume who noted that the President recognizes the right to peaceful protest, however emphasized that “the government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being hijacked by bandits, insurgents and other criminals.”
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