President Bola Tinubu and governors have agreed on 10 ways to tackle the security and food challenges in the country.
Tinubu in company of Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday, February 14, 2024 met with the 36 States Governors and the FCT Minister at the State House.
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who provided insight into the deliberations between the President and the state governors, said the meeting agreed on common grounds to addressing some of the challenges currently facing the country, especially the rising cost of food and insecurity.
Onanuga said after extensive deliberations the President and governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure being faced by the citizens.
On ways to addressing insecurity which is affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu made three key pronouncements:
One, more police personnel to be recruited to strengthen the force.
Two, President Tinubu informed the governors that the Federal Government will work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.
Three, the President charged the governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and arm them to keep all the forest safe from criminals.
It was agreed that the modalities for State Police and addressing security issues to be discussed further at National Economic Council.
On rising cost of food, the President directed that the state and federal governments should collaborate to increase local food production. The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.
Also, the President advised governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
The President charged governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products.
The President pleaded with governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors
President Tinubu implored governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged.
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