President Bola Tinubu has ordered the purchase and sale of foodstuff worth N155 billion to be distributed across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT).
The President gave the approval during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja where he urged state governors to work together to meet the needs of citizens.
He disclosed that he is willing to provide the needed support to ensure that Nigerians are relieved of hardship, according to a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate rollout of the National Construction and Household Support Programme to cover all geo-political zones in the country,” the statement read.
“Other items under the National Construction and Household Support Programme include deployment of N155 billion for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuff to be distributed across the nation.”
In addition, Tinubu also approved the delivery of a N50,000 uplift grant each to 100,000 families per state for three months.
The president stressed the urgency of boosting food production, noting that the Sokoto-Badagry Highway is a pivotal project as the states within this axis form the food belt of the nation, with Badagry being an important artery for food export.
“Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people. Time is humanity’s most precious asset. You can never have enough of it. It is getting late.
“We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings.”
Tinubu said the most important thing for a nation is the ability to produce high-quality food for its people for consumption, buying, and sale. He noted that more jobs would be created as a result of farming activities which will invariably generate wealth through the exportation of the excess.
