The Federal Government has begun the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of food items to vulnerable citizens, as part of measures to cushion the economic hardship in the country.
Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution in Borno State, yesterday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu “is worried” about the rising food prices.
The minister asked citizens to be patient with the President, as he works to fix the country’s economy.
He said: “The government calls for continued patience and understanding from Nigerians, as we push through these difficult times into a season of abundant benefits and truly renewed hope.
“As the President never fails to emphasise, these headwinds we face are only temporary, and we will surely overcome them.”
The minister said the reduction of petrol importation to 50 per cent monthly, stabilised foreign exchange, and the recent launch of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) is an early win for the country.
“I urge you to continue supporting the Tinubu administration, as it implements policies to overhaul the nation’s economy,” Idris said.
On his part, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the President is determined to cushion the effect of the rising cost of food commodities by ensuring a sustained buffer stock.
“I want to encourage all the state governments to begin activating the buffer stock in their various states so that in cases of emergency and future food interventions like this, they will have stocks that complement the Federal Government’s efforts,” he said. “It is worthy of note that the 42,000MT of assorted food commodities, comprising maize (23,600MT), sorghum (12,860MT), millet (3,700MT) and garri (1,840MT) are to be distributed to vulnerable Nigerians.”
