President Tinubu Urges Governors to Address Rising Food Costs, Insecurity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governors to address the pressing issues of rising food costs and insecurity in their regions by implementing measures such as recruiting more police officers and establishing state police forces. Tinubu made these remarks during a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 state governors, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Emphasizing the need to boost local food production, prevent hoarding, clear salary arrears, and create economic opportunities for youth, Tinubu called on governors to take proactive steps in these areas. The President also highlighted the importance of addressing insecurity, which has a direct impact on farming and food production.
To tackle insecurity, Tinubu proposed three key actions. First, he suggested recruiting more police personnel to strengthen law enforcement. Second, he announced plans to work with governors and the National Assembly to establish state police forces, replacing vigilante groups in some states. Third, he urged governors to enhance their Forest Rangers and equip them to ensure the safety of forests from criminal activities.
Regarding the rising cost of food, Tinubu directed state and federal governments to collaborate to increase local food production. He discouraged food importation and price control, emphasizing the need to support local food producers instead. Tinubu commended Kano State’s approach to combating food hoarding for profiteering and advised other states to follow suit.
The President also instructed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to monitor warehouses hoarding food items and prevent merchant profiteering.
Additionally, Tinubu encouraged governors to focus on livestock development, particularly in poultry and fishing, to boost production. He urged them to prioritize clearing salary arrears, gratuities, and pensions to inject money into the economy. Tinubu emphasized the importance of creating more economic opportunities for youth to enhance productivity and engagement.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from the President and governors to collaborate closely to address these challenges and alleviate economic pressure on citizens.
The Guardian Newspaper
