FG Launches N1tn Palliative and Extensive Construction Projects; See Names of Road Projects in various states
By Stephen Angbulu
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu directed all state governors to submit their plans to enhance food production within seven days. This directive was issued during the 142nd National Economic Council meeting held at the State House, Abuja, which saw the attendance of state governors and some deputies.
President Tinubu unveiled the National Construction and Household Support Programme, under which 100,000 families in each state will receive a monthly grant of N50,000 for three months. The program also includes N155bn for various food supplies, N540bn for household grants, and a N10bn allocation for CNG buses for each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The program aims to assist 3.7 million families across the 36 states and the FCT with the N50,000 monthly grant, while the CNG bus allocations and food expenditure are projected to exceed N1tn in total costs.
President Tinubu emphasized the critical need to enhance food production, urging governors to collaborate to meet citizens’ needs. He assured them of his support in alleviating hardship for Nigerians.
“We must meet our targets across all levels. Please report back with your plans within seven days. I am ready to provide the necessary support. Our priority is to produce high-quality food for our people, creating jobs and wealth through surplus exportation. This is achievable,” Tinubu stated.
The President’s remarks come amidst severe economic challenges in the country. Inflation, exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate depreciation, soared to 27% year-on-year in October 2023. The surge in prices, coupled with food insecurity, has heightened the cost-of-living crisis, making it difficult for Nigerians to afford basic necessities.
Despite significant policy reforms like the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate unification, issues such as poverty, stagnated per-capita growth, and a weak business environment persist, compounded by global food price surges and geopolitical uncertainties.
During the NEC meeting, Tinubu announced initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity, bolster the economy by creating opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, and provide urgent economic relief for Nigerians.
The National Construction and Household Support Programme will be implemented across all geopolitical zones. Key infrastructure projects include the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which spans Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos, and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway linking Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja.
President Tinubu also approved full counterpart financing for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway and the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway, traversing multiple states.
The Sokoto-Badagry road project is especially prioritized for its strategic importance to national agricultural sustainability. Within its corridor lie 216 agricultural communities, 58 dams, seven Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, 156 local government areas, 39 commercial cities, and over 1 million hectares of arable land.
The program also includes a one-time N10bn allocation to states and the FCT for the procurement of buses and the CNG uplift program, aimed at easing transportation and supporting economic activities.
