NEC Endorses Initiative to Boost Agriculture and Provide Economic Relief
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has approved the National Construction and Household Support Programme, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, strengthening the economy, and providing immediate economic relief to Nigerian households. The announcement was made during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday.
Key Components of the Programme
1. Financial Support for Families A central feature of the programme is the N50,000 uplift grant, which will be distributed to 100,000 families per state for three months. This initiative is designed to provide immediate economic relief to households across Nigeria.
2. Food Security and Affordability An additional N155 billion has been allocated for the purchase and distribution of assorted foodstuffs nationwide, addressing concerns about food security and affordability.
3. Infrastructure Development Several major infrastructure projects are included in the programme:
- Sokoto-Badagry Highway: This project will span seven states and is considered crucial for agricultural sustainability, connecting regions that form the food belt of the nation.
- Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Trans-Saharan Highway: Ongoing projects aimed at improving national connectivity.
- Railway Projects: Full counterpart financing has been approved for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway and the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway.
4. Transportation and Energy Initiatives NEC has approved the allocation of N10 billion to each state and the Federal Capital Territory for the procurement of buses and the implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas uplift programme. This move aims to improve public transportation and promote cleaner energy use.
Support for Labour Unions and Civil Society The programme also includes provisions for labour unions and civil society organizations, ensuring broad-based support and engagement.
President Tinubu’s Call to Action
During the NEC meeting, President Tinubu emphasized the need for collaboration among state governors to meet the needs of citizens and boost food production. He highlighted the importance of mechanizing agricultural processes, providing high-quality seedlings, and supporting farmers with solar-powered irrigation facilities.
President Tinubu stated: “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.
We are prepared to provide solar-powered irrigation facilities to support our farmers across seasons, but we must now produce. We must produce the food our people eat, and it will require coordination and intentionality between members of the National Economic Council (NEC).
There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell. We create jobs in the production of it. And that is before we generate wealth by exporting the excess. It is not beyond us to achieve this for Nigerians.
How much support do you need from me, and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days.”