The Federal Government on Monday said it had created centres across the country where Nigerians can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this on Monday while briefing correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

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Idris said this was one of several initiatives by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens.

Therefore, he argued that the nationwide protests scheduled to begin on August 1 were unnecessary since “President Tinubu is already protesting on behalf of the people.”

The minister also argued that all the demands of the protest organisers were being met.

“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal Government and, therefore, it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again.

“Most of the things that the protesters are putting forward are already being addressed by the government. And like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.

“The President has listened to the voices of all planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing what they want the government to do,” said Idris.

He enumerated the recent efforts by the FG which distributed 740 trucks of grains to states, announcing that 50kg bags of rice can now be obtained for N40,000 at designated centres nationwide.

Idris said, “For example, at the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 trucks had been given to each state governor for onward distribution to those who actually needed them, to the poorest of the poor in society.

“But the government did not stop. Rice is also being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak. This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.

“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states; indeed, this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. The government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.”

He said the FG expects the price of food items to reduce since “the rainy season is here.”

“We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made in traditional agricultural production and irrigation activities in many of these states in the federation,” Idris added.

The minister cited the student loan scheme the expected disbursement of CNG kits as part of efforts to ease the cost of living.

However, he blamed unavoidable logistical impediments for the delay in the rollout of the CNG buses.

“Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of the conversion kits are already available. The conversion centers are already beginning to get active.

“The delays are largely because you don’t just go to the market and get these things off the shelves.

“First, the procurement processes have to be followed. And then, of course, you have to place an order for them. It is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60 per cent in the cost that people put in transportation,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo argued that the 13-month-old administration has made significant gains for its age.

He emphasised that removing the fuel subsidy is a crucial step in addressing long-term issues in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Tunji-Ojo noted the new policies promoting local trade in crude oil and refined products, which he believes will attract investments, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s energy independence.

He also highlighted the unification of exchange rates as a factor in improving economic predictability, fostering foreign direct investment, and supporting local government autonomy, saying it ultimately drives grassroots development.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio who addressed journalists after the signing of the minimum wage bill also warned against anarchy saying the government cannot afford rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

“You have a right to protest. But you don’t have a right to destabilise the country. The right to protest should not be turned into the right to unleash violence. It’s very clear that people who are behind this are very amorphous, very faceless. So what it means is people are preparing to loot and go around and do all sorts of things.

“Where we are today was not caused by one year’s administration. It is the outcome of years of insecurity. So my appeal to the Nigerian youth is do not allow any group to mislead you politically. People who probably do not have their fortunes in 2023 election are thinking they can come through the back door and that will amount to anarchy.

“Any destruction of any property will cause Nigeria money. We don’t have the money. Instead, let’s put the money in developing you and developing your environ instead of going to rebuild,” Akpabio stated.