Mohammed Bago, the Governor of Niger State, has issued a cautionary statement, emphasizing that the palliative measures put forth by the Federal Government are insufficient to alleviate the difficulties that the removal of fuel subsidy has inflicted upon the Nigerian population.
He offered counsel to both the government and the citizens, urging them to explore alternative strategies to effectively address the prevailing economic challenges that the nation is presently grappling with. According to him, relying solely on subsidy-based palliatives is not a sustainable solution.
The governor conveyed this warning during the commencement of the distribution of agricultural inputs to wet season farmers hailing from all 25 local government areas of the state.
“I want to use this medium to thank President Bola Tinubu, the Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, for coming to the aid of vulnerable Nigerians.
“But we must be honest with ourselves; the palliative scheme cannot be sustained, we have to go back to the farm to reinflate our economy.
“In Niger State, we are poised to make agriculture become the focus of our administration in addressing poverty and food security”
The governor pointed out that to realize the policy thrust of his administration, the government would cultivate 10,000 hectares of land in each of the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State.
“We are planning to cultivate 250 hectares of land in the next cropping season with each local government area cultivating crops they have a comparative advantage.
“I want all the local government council officials to take this as a marching order as we make available 78 metric tons of fertilizers and other farm inputs “.
Bago reiterated his government’s decision to negotiate with bandits troubling the local government areas in order to ensure that farmers were secure and safe to return to work.
“We want to discuss with the people (bandits) and see how the carnage in our state is brought under control to enable us achieve our agricultural goals and empower our people and ensure food security.
“To achieve an all-inclusive government, we have now established the Ministry of Nomad and Pastoral Affairs to bring on board the hitherto neglected segment.”
Governor Bago urged the teeming youth population in the state to key into the agricultural activities of his administration to create employment.
“Youths should go back to the farm and be part of the agricultural revolution we are starting, ” he said.
