#EndBadGovernance August 1 Protest: FG pleads for calm, patience; Lagos police in full show of force

The federal government has reeled out gains of what it called ongoing reforms to revitalise the economy, as it appealed to citizens for calm and patience. This is a major push back against the nationwide hunger strike, planned to begin Thursday.

George Akume Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who addressed a press conference alongside four other cabinet ministers said the federal government was taking steps to address present economic hardship. One of those steps, he said, is the ongoing delivery of twenty trailer load of assorted grains to each state, expected to be distributed to the citizens, as approved by President Tinubu.

“This is intended to cushion the high cost of foodstuff,” he said, and also highlighted recent removal of tariffs on imported food items intended to bring down the prices of food stuff.

He further told journalists that farm inputs, including fertilisers were being provided to farmers at highly subsidised rates to boost food production and reduce cost.

According to him, Tinubu had approved the release of sixty four trailer load of fertizers to each state to boost agricultural production, while the Agricultural land development Agency has been repositioned to facilitate land preparation for farmers.

At the briefing, the SGF, alongside some of the ministers blamed the last administration for leaving behind a weak economy, requiring urgent, bold and imaginative reforms. He admitted that policy measures taken to fix prevailing economic challenges, including removal of fuel subsidy, have rather seen unexpected adjustments that impacted all facets of the economy and citizens’ daily lives.

Another achievement, he recalled, is the release of N5bn to each state to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal, prioritizing the poor, vulnerable and the elderly; N35,000 for federal workers workers, as well as the signing into law of the N70,000 new National Minimum Wage Act.

Akume regretted that the Tinubu administration inherited a two-decade old security situation that required greater attention and compelled a massive infusion of scarce resources from government’s already thin revenue, with the objectives of securing lives and property, building foreign investors’ confidence, and increasing food production.

Under the federal government’s Social Safety Net Progammes which many Nigerians insist they were yet to benefit from, Akume told the press, that over 15 million indigent, poor and highly vulnerable families had benefitted from the family support cash grants.

He also mentioned the recent Supreme Court ruling, granting autonomy to the 774 Local governments, among other interventions.

He said these achievements gives the assurance that Nigeria remains work in progress and assured that the ongoing economic hardships would abate very soon.

“We shall all enjoy endless prosperity.

“We therefore appeal to Nigerians of whatever persuation, belief, demography, gender and status to shun calls for protest against hunger by prioritising peace and progress.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection and vigilance should be our watch words.

“Government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being highjacked by bandits, insurgents and other criminals. Rather, we request that dialogue should be advanced and we remain open to such.

“Our appeal is that Nigerians should please pursue the path of peace, dialogue and collaboration in addressing the challenges that collectively confront us.

“Please go about your legitimate businesses and avoid actions and/or association that are capable of disturbing the peace of th country. Remain vigilant as well,” the SGF urged.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has beefed up security ahead of the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for tomorrow, August 1.

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were seen conducting drills and patrols in strategic locations across the state on Wednesday.

The officers, clad in full combat gear, marched through areas including Ikeja, Oshodi, Ojota, and Lekki.

The deployment is aimed at maintaining law and order during the anticipated protest. The police command has assured residents of their commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property.