…Orders 50% slash on grains
… Says Niger don’t rely on FAAC for projects
Following the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that the youths of the state will not be joining their counterparts in other parts of the country.
New Telegraph reports that August 1st to 10th of this year has been slated for the nationwide protest.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with stakeholders at the Justice Legbo Kutigi conference centre in Minna on Thursday the Governor said “Our youths are peaceful and would not be drawn into any protest.”
Accordingly, he said “We, as youths of Niger state have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquillity.
You can start demonstrations but you cannot end demonstrations. To youths who are agitating for this protest, let us end this agitation, let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.”
The governor then announced the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains which he said would be sold at 50 per cent of its current price.
In his words: “We have over 100, 000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50 per cent of its current price. And before the end of the year, we will slash food price by 90 per cent”.
Also, the Governor of Niger state declared his support for the autonomy of local governments but urged them to sit up as several of them could not pay salaries for a year.
Speaking on the reliance on Federal Allocation, Governor BAGO said “Niger 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 being 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.
“The food I am giving out at 50 per cent subsidy was originally meant for export but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites.”
The Emir of Bida and the Chairman of the council of traditional rulers of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya 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 of the House of Assembly, Honorable Abdulmalik Sarkindaji in his address also called on the youths of the state not to be part of the protest stating that the state will organize programmes for the youths to engage in while others are protesting in other states.
Also, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Niger state, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna admonished Nigerlites to embrace whatever would lead to peace.
According to him “let us remain peaceful and pray for the state, the government and then support government’s programmes and policies.”
Governor Bago presented cars to members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners, Judges, Chief Imam of the state, the state CAN Chairman, and Service Chiefs.