Again, FG distributes 44,400 bags of rice to 36 states, FCT

…To send Supplementary budget on minimum wage to NASS

The Federal Government has distributed 44,400 bags of rice to 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of measures to alleviate the current hardship in the country.

Each state received 20 trucks of rice, with each truck containing 1,200 bags of 25kg rice.

According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, the distribution is the first step by the federal government to provide support to all sub-nationals.

He said the states are expected to distribute the commodity to the most vulnerable in society to bring down the current hardship.

The minister stated, “Now, the council deliberated on the state of affairs in Nigeria, especially the issue of food supply and shortage of food on the table of many Nigerians. And after exhaustive deliberation, the Minister of Agric had earlier been directed to ensure that food is being made available to Nigerians.

“And after exhaustive deliberation, the Minister of Agric had earlier been directed to ensure that food is being made available to Nigerians. And the understanding is that about 20 trucks of rice have already been supplied to each of the states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory. Each of the trucks of course is carrying about 1,200 25kg bags of rice.

“This is part of the measures that the government is taking in addition to so many others to ensure that the hardship being experienced by Nigerians is drastically ameliorated.

“So for recap, each of the state governments has received 20 trucks of rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable.

“This is a first step and the federal government will continue to support all the state governors and local governments, all the sub-nationals, so that the hardship experienced by most Nigerians in terms of shortage of food supply is breached.

“It is expected that the state governors will go ahead and distribute this food item to the most vulnerable so that the hardship like I said being experienced will be brought down significantly.”

In addition to the rice distribution, the Minister announced that President Tinubu intends to submit a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to address the new national minimum wage.

The President is open to approving a new minimum wage, but the administration is mindful of ensuring that it is feasible for both the federal government and sub-nationals to implement.

To this end, the President has instructed the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to provide additional support in the 2024 budget.

Idris stated, “Now, you are also aware that last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress met the president. This of course was part of the consultation that the President has agreed.

“Recall that he had met the organised labour sector. He had also met sub-nationals after the tripartite committee on Labour had submitted its report to ensure that there was a thorough analysis of the situation so that the government would come up with a minimum wage that works for all Nigerians, federal government, the sub-nationals, and the organised private sector. That was also discussed today.

“And the government has also directed the Ministry of Budget to come up with additional support for the 2024 budget, so that any differential or any gaps that will exist in terms of what existed before the 2024 budget was approved, a supplementary budget, and also what the requirement for now.

“So, the government is working around the clock to ensure that it comes up with a minimum wage, like I said that works for all Nigerians.

“At the end of the day, this of course will be submitted to the national assembly so that you can have legislative backing.”

The government spokesman revealed that President Tinubu will meet with the organised Labour on Thursday, saying: “Let me also say that the president is also open to meeting the Nigerian Labour, Trade Union Congress, and all the affiliates. We expect that meeting to be held this coming Thursday.

“Recall that this was already what the Labour unions requested during their meeting with Mr. President last week.

“So, the President agrees, he knows that the Labour wants to quickly find a lasting solution to the issue of minimum wage and the government is also anxious to put the issue of minimum wage behind it.

“So, it is expected that the NLC, TUC and all the affiliates as requested by them  last week, will meet the president on Thursday. And after which the president will now transmit whatever the final agreement or what his views are on the tripartite committee report  to the national assembly for legislation,” the minister stated.

The minister noted that FEC took note of the complaint of hardship by Nigerians and the government is ramping up efforts to ameliorate the problems.

“Now in all, the Federal Executive Council took note of some of the complaints amongst  Nigerians, some of the issues raised in terms of transportation, in terms of food prices or food shortages in many homes around the country and the Federal Executive Council is ramping up all that needs to be done to ensure that food is being put on the table of most Nigerians,” he added.