The Federal Government said on Monday that it has begsn supplying each state with an extra ten trucks full of 50 kg of rice, which will be sold at specified locations for N40,000.
This is due to the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) insistence that the demonstration is unnecessary because the majority of the demands made by the organisers are being met.
President Bola Tinubu has already declared that he is protesting on behalf of the youth by resolving the majority of their complaints in advance of the August 1 nationwide protest.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, briefed State House media at the end of the Council meeting, revealing that 10 trucks of rice were sent to each state as a measure to combat poverty and high living costs.
The Minister stated, “And 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 thus it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward have already been addressed or are being addressed by the government, and as we have repeatedly stated, this is a listening government.
“The President has listened to the voices of all those preparing the 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, such as ensuring that food is available.
“At the last Council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks, 20 in total, had been given to state governors for onwards distribution to the poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need, but the government did not stop there; there is also rice that is being sold at about 50% of its cost, with a bag of rice costing N40,000 as we speak.
“This rice has been taken to various centres throughout all the states of the federation and is being sold for 40,000 Naira; centres have been established. So, people who need this rice can go there and get it for 40,000 naira.
“In the first instance, approximately ten trucks have been made available to each of these states, and this is only the beginning. I understand that some of the criticisms you hear are that it is never enough. The government has not pretended that the current supply are sufficient. However, these are vital first measures, and further interventions of this nature will be implemented in the interim.
“Of course, this is, as I have stated, an interim measure because so much investment is going into agriculture. And the rainy season has arrived. We anticipate that food prices will fall as investments are made in irrigation activities in several of the federation’s states, in addition to traditional agricultural production. So we expect that as time goes on, the prices of food and commodities will fall.
“These are part of the measures, and the President believes, as does the federal executive council, that some of the youth will not protest since some of the solutions they seek are already being supplied. For example, only recently has the federal government began to distribute student loans. There is already provision for almost two million kids. “As of last week, just roughly 110,000 applications had been received; however, more are expected. So there is ample provision for all those who are qualified, can obtain these loans, and have met this need.”
He stated that the President’s objective is to ensure that no student or young person who has been admitted to any of the nation’s postsecondary institutions is excluded because his parents or guardians are unable to pay his fees.
“But, in addition, there is provision being made for these young people. We are aware of the efforts being made to ensure that around three million of them gain jobs under the MTT program.
“There is also a reduction for the general public when the federal government’s CNG project is fully implemented.Already, some of these buses have been imported.
“Some conversion kits are already available. The conversion centres are already getting active. The delays are primarily due to the fact that you cannot simply go to the market and purchase these items.
“First, the procurement processes must be followed. And then, of course, you have to place an order for them, and it is expected that as we transition from fossil fuel to renewables, the cost of transport will be reduced by more than 60%.
“If you have a car, it is expected that you will spend about 60% less and that money will go back into your pocket, but the emphasis at first will be on commercial buses, for mass transit, so that workers in particular, and those who travel will see a reduction in their fares.
“Now, in light of so many other things that the government is doing, the administration is requesting that individuals who intend to participate in this demonstration reconsider their decision. There is simply no reason for that.
Of course, every Nigerian has the democratic right to engage in peaceful protests. And the government is not opposed to that.
But what the government is doing is ensuring that, while you have the right to protest, it will end when someone else’s begins.
“Therefore, while you are considering protesting, the government is urging you to put it on hold since there is a high risk that this protest would be hijacked and turned violent by unscrupulous individuals, and Nigeria will suffer as a result. “Of course, we realise that people are stating there is no intention of violence, but history has proven that this demonstration has the potential to be hijacked and turned violent.
“It is another appeal from the federal government to ensure that the government is making an effort to meet the demands of Nigerians in a variety of areas, including health care, agriculture, infrastructure provision, and ensuring that our youth, the young population, attend school and can find work when they finish, if not before. “The Social Security system is being implemented to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Please, there is no reason for this protest .”
Bottom Line
The distribution of rice is nothing but a temporary relief to only some of the citizens. This act dosent fully address the underlying systemic issues contributing to the protests, such as unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and rising costs of living.
Besides, there’s beans, yam, noodles, and many other food that spiked aggressively.
Distributing 10 trucks of rice at 40,000 to each state is embarrassing because if the citizens didn’t put out a nationwide protest, nothing would have been done.
The long-term effectiveness of these measures will depend on sustained efforts to tackle these challenges comprehensively.
