*Plans to Open Farms and Food Banks to Support Nigerians By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Nigerian Citizens and Welfare Project (GCIO-NCWP) has...
*Plans to Open Farms and Food Banks to Support Nigerians
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Nigerian Citizens and Welfare Project (GCIO-NCWP) has called on the federal government to utilize the National Identification Number (NIN) to distribute discounted rice to Nigerians.
In a statement, the group emphasized that leveraging the NIN would ensure the N40,000 discounted rice initiative reaches a broader segment of the population, rather than limiting access to civil servants or relying on politicians to distribute the rice.
Jeremiah Orede, Publicity Secretary of the group, highlighted that if the federal government had previously implemented their suggestions—such as distributing palliatives using the NIN, establishing government farms in every local government area, and partnering with the National Union of Road Transport Owners and Workers to subsidize transportation costs until the CNG buses are operational—Nigeria might have mitigated the current hyperinflation to some extent.
The statement quoted Director General of the Group, Esanerovo Agbodo, who said: “We invested our resources to organize a Palliatives and Social Security Summit in Abuja on November 1, 2023, bringing together stakeholders, including serving ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet, to advise the government on managing the fallout from the fuel subsidy removal. However, our suggestions have yet to be incorporated into the government’s strategy to address the repercussions of this tough decision.”
Agbodo continued, “If our recommendations had been partially implemented, it could have alleviated the rise in transport fares and reduced food prices. Lower transportation costs would decrease food prices, as reduced demand for rice in the market would lead to a decline in the prices of other food items.”
He added, “Yes, the federal government has numerous advisory bodies, but we believe they should also consider the input of concerned citizens outside the government and incorporate relevant suggestions into their strategies.”
The group reiterated their stance, stating, “Unless the NIN is used to distribute rice widely to both poor and rich Nigerians, the process may be hijacked by certain individuals, leading to further feelings of discrimination among citizens and exacerbating negative sentiments toward the government’s economic policies.”
GCIO-NCWP also announced plans to host an Investment Dialogue before the end of the year to explore ways to attract both local and foreign investments, boost the value of the Naira, and create more job opportunities.
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