Breaking News: President Tinubu Approves #50,000 Grant and N155Bn Food Package For Household

 

President Tinubu Approves Major Economic Relief Package and Infrastructure Investments

President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a significant economic relief and infrastructure package aimed at boosting Nigeria's agricultural sector, enhancing food security, and providing immediate financial relief to households. This announcement was made during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.

Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesman, detailed the new initiative, the National Construction and Household Support Programme, which received full backing from the NEC. The programme's core objective is to strengthen the nation's economy by improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, while also delivering direct financial aid to Nigerian families.

A standout feature of the programme is the N50,000 uplift grant, set to be distributed to 100,000 families in each state for three months. This grant is expected to provide crucial support to households struggling with economic hardships.

Additionally, President Tinubu has earmarked N155 billion for the procurement and nationwide distribution of assorted foodstuffs. This move is designed to address urgent concerns regarding food affordability and security, ensuring that essential commodities are accessible to all Nigerians.

Infrastructure development is another critical component of the programme. Among the projects highlighted is the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will span seven states and is considered vital for agricultural sustainability. This highway will traverse regions forming the nation's food belt, further facilitating agricultural activities and distribution.

Other key infrastructure projects include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway. Tinubu also announced full counterpart financing for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway and the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway, underscoring the administration's commitment to enhancing the country's transportation network.

To further support the states, the NEC has approved a N10 billion allocation to each state and the Federal Capital Territory. This funding will be used to procure buses and implement the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) uplift programme, promoting cleaner energy usage and efficient transportation.

Provisions have also been made to engage labour unions and civil society organizations in these initiatives, ensuring a broad-based approach to economic development and infrastructure enhancement.

In his address at the NEC meeting, President Tinubu called on state governors to work collaboratively to meet the nation's food production needs. He emphasized the importance of agricultural mechanization, the provision of high-quality seedlings, and the deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems to support farmers year-round.

"Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people," Tinubu stated. "Time is humanity’s most precious asset. You can never have enough of it. It is getting late."

He continued, "We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings. We are prepared to provide solar-powered irrigation facilities to support our farmers across seasons, but we must now produce. We must produce the food our people eat, and it will require coordination and intentionality between members of the National Economic Council (NEC)."

Emphasizing the urgency and importance of these initiatives, Tinubu added, "There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell. We create jobs in the production of it. And that is before we generate wealth by exporting the excess. It is not beyond us to achieve this for Nigerians."

He concluded by urging immediate action, "How much support do you need from me, and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days."

This comprehensive programme signals a robust effort by President Tinubu's administration to address economic challenges, enhance food security, and improve infrastructure, setting the stage for sustained national growth and development.