Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced the purchase of 100 truckloads of rice to be sold at lower prices to residents in order to help with the increase in food prices nationwide.
During a meeting with stakeholders in Abeokuta, the state capital, Governor Abiodun revealed this plan.
Abiodun mentioned that the rice will be discounted and offered at the same price as before the recent sharp increase in prices.
The governor also stated that free allocations will be given to the poor, elderly, and vulnerable individuals.
“We have decided to give our people foodstuffs like rice, garri, and beans. I have ordered almost 100 trailers of rice, they will start offloading them,” Abiodun said.
“We have decided that the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable will be given the rice free of charge, while others will have to buy the rice at the price we formally bought it before the dollar rose very high so that it won’t be a one-off and we can continue till the issue of the dollar is settled,” he added.
Governor Abiodun reassured the people of Ogun State that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully in control and knows what he is doing.
He mentioned that the President is handling the situation well, and soon Nigerians will see the impact of the policies implemented to reduce inflation.
Additionally, he stated that during a meeting with Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso, he was assured that the value of the dollar will decrease soon.
“Everything we are experiencing at the moment is very transient, it will soon pass away. Let me assure you, the meeting we had on Tuesday and today Wednesday after I left that meeting, I am convinced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully in charge. He knows what he is doing.
“With the plan that he has begun to implement, you will soon begin to see the change. We must remain very hopeful.
“The last meeting I had was with the CBN Governor. He said I should quote him and tell you that, very soon, the dollar will crash,” he said.
Abiodun mentioned that his administration has taken steps to help ease the difficulties faced by Nigerians.
He also mentioned that an intervention worth over N5 billion was announced last week. Tertiary students from Ogun State will receive N50,000 each.
The distribution for secondary and primary school students, totaling about 800,000, will be done in phases.
The first phase will include 100,000 students receiving N10,000 each. Those not included in the first phase will receive five exercise books while waiting for the next phase.
Women and the elderly will receive free medical care with insurance cards worth N18,000.
Abiodun also stated that his administration will allocate around N500 million monthly to cover the payment of deductions for civil servants in the state public service.
He urged Nigerians, especially the youth, not to be influenced by dishonest individuals who may try to disrupt the peace of the country.
