Minister urges suspension of nationwide protest
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, has urged Nigerians to suspend the nationwide protest titled ‘Endbadgovernance’ against the current administration.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Lizzy Okoji, on Saturday in Abuja, Shuaibu made this appeal.
The protest, which began on August 1 and is set to conclude on August 10, was organized to address various national challenges.
Shuaibu called on Nigerians to engage in dialogue to address their concerns and to trust President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is diligently working to tackle the country’s issues.
The minister emphasized that the administration’s policies and strategic plans are designed to promote economic prosperity, enhance welfare, improve education, and strengthen health systems. Other objectives include better social amenities, food security, and infrastructure development.
He assured Nigerians that their aspirations for good governance would be met by the end of the current administration’s first term.
The minister highlighted recent measures by President Tinubu, including the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for workers, the introduction of CNG vehicles to reduce transportation costs by 70%, and the disbursement of N50,000 uplift grants to over 100,000 families per state for three months. These efforts are expected to benefit nearly 5 million families nationwide.
Additionally, Audu mentioned that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has promised a reduction in food prices within 180 days. To address food shortages, 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize are being imported for distribution to small-scale processors and millers.
In terms of health, the president has directed the redesign of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to improve access to affordable healthcare. In the steel sector, ongoing reforms are expected to create over 500,000 jobs and attract foreign investment to stimulate economic growth.
Audu appealed to Nigerians to end the protest, citing its disruption by miscreants leading to chaos and lawlessness. He praised the people of Kogi for opting for dialogue and collaboration with the APC-led government instead of participating in the protest.
