The Federal Government has urged calm over the proposed nationwide protest, announcing the creation of centers across the country where Nigerians can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for ₦40,000. This initiative, revealed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens.
Idris, briefing correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday, argued that the protest was unnecessary as the government was already addressing the protesters’ demands.
“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal Government,” Idris said. He noted the distribution of 740 trucks of grains to states and announced that 50kg bags of rice are now available for ₦40,000 at designated centers nationwide.
The government expects the price of food items to decrease with the rainy season and investments in agriculture. Idris also mentioned the student loan scheme and the anticipated disbursement of CNG kits as part of efforts to ease the cost of living, blaming logistical impediments for delays in the rollout of CNG buses.
