Gov. Bago releases 50,000 metric tones of grains to be subsidies by 50 percent.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has approved the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains which would be sold at 50 per cent of its present price so as to cushion the hardship on the people of the State.
Governor Bago announced this in a town hall meeting with relevant stakeholders,held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference center, Minna, Thursday 18th July,2024.
Governor Bago hinted that the food he gave out at 50 percent subsidy was originally meant for export but due to the hardship the people of the state are facing,he had decided to opened the warehouses to feed the people.
He said”. The food I am giving out at 50 percent subsidy was originally meant for export but due to the hardship face by the people,we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites”. Bago said.
” We have over 100, 000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves out of which we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50 per cent of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food price by 90 per cent”, he assured.
In a related development, governor Umaru Bago has revealed that
the youths in the state will not join in the planned nationwide protest of 1st -10th August, against hunger and economic hardship being faced by Nigerians,adding that the youths in the state are peaceful and would not be drawn into any protest.
According to the governor” .We, as youths of Niger state, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquility,saying you can start demonstration but you cannot end demonstrations,to youths who are agitating for this protest,let us end these agitation,let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.”
Bago had called on security agencies to be on their toes in monitoring and ensuring that the directive is followed to the letter.
He also disclosed that the state government does not depend on FAAC to finance its projects or move the state forward, “I do not need FAAC in Niger state. The roads I am building, the projects I have undertaken is not been done by FAAC. We are producing and that is the secret behind what we are doing. There are people who have invested in Niger state in the next five years.
Earlier, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar said that protest is not a way to go, urging the youths not to join in the temptation of joining the planned nationwide protest.
The Speaker,Niger State House of Assembly,Abdulmalik Sarkindaji in his address advised the youths of the state not to be part of the protest,pointing out that the state will organize programmes for the youths to engage in,while others are protesting in other states.
