In a gathering at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, convened a crucial meeting with the 36 state governors and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The focus of the meeting was to address pressing issues including the surge in food prices, insecurity, and the backlog of unpaid salaries and gratuities owed to workers and retirees.
As divulged by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, and reiterated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the discussions centered on finding common ground to alleviate the current challenges gripping the nation.
Here are the salient points that were brought up in the meeting:
1. Tackling Insecurity: President Tinubu outlined three pivotal measures to combat insecurity, which has adverse effects on farming and food production:
- Recruitment of additional police personnel to bolster the security apparatus.
- Collaboration with state governments and the National Assembly to establish a framework for state police.
- Empowerment of Forest Rangers to safeguard forests from criminal elements. Further discussions on the implementation of state police and security strategies will occur at the National Economic Council.
2. Addressing Food Price Surge: Emphasizing the need to enhance local food production, President Tinubu urged collaboration between state and federal governments. The focus should be on encouraging local producers instead of resorting to food importation and price control measures.
3. Crackdown on Food Hoarding: Taking a cue from Kano State, efforts to curb food hoarding for profit-making by traders were underscored. The President directed law enforcement agencies to monitor warehouses hoarding food items nationwide and deter profiteering.
4. Livestock Development: Governors were urged to prioritize livestock development, particularly in poultry and fishing sectors, within their respective states.
5. Clearing Salary Arrears and Gratuities: In a bid to inject liquidity into the economy, President Tinubu urged governors to promptly settle outstanding salary arrears and gratuities owed to workers and pensioners, leveraging increased monthly FAAC revenue.
6. Youth Empowerment: Recognizing the importance of engaging the youth productively, President Tinubu urged governors to create more economic opportunities to steer young people towards meaningful endeavors.
These decisions and strategies mark a concerted effort towards addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the nation, fostering economic stability, and ensuring the well-being of citizens across the country.
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