President Tinubu has approved a major initiative to boost Nigeria’s economy and provide relief to citizens. The program includes critical infrastructure projects and N50,000 grants for 100,000 families in each state, aiming to enhance food security and economic stability. Read till the end for information about the new Uplift Grant empowerment.
Introduction
President Tinubu has approved the National Construction and Household Support Programme to boost agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, while providing economic relief for Nigerians. Key initiatives include the prioritization of major infrastructure projects like the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and key railway segments.
The program also features N50,000 uplift grants for 100,000 families in every state for three months, a N10 billion allocation for bus procurement and CNG uplift, and N155 billion for nationwide food distribution. Tinubu urged state governors to collaborate on these initiatives to enhance food security and economic stability.
Sokoto-Badagry Highway
One of the important components of the new programme is the prioritization of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway. This vital road will traverse multiple states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos. The highway is especially critical due to its strategic importance in sustaining agricultural activities across these regions.
- States Covered: Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos
- Importance: Strategic to agricultural sustainability
Details:
- 216 agricultural communities
- 58 large and medium dams
- 7 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs)
- 156 local government areas
- 39 commercial cities and towns
- Over 1 million hectares of arable land
Other Road Infrastructure Projects
In addition to the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, other critical road projects have been earmarked for prioritization
- Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
- Currently under development
- Enhances connectivity along the coastal region
- Trans-Saharan Highway
- Links Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja
- Improves access and mobility across these states
Major Railway Projects
President Tinubu has also approved full counterpart financing for several significant railway projects aimed at enhancing national connectivity and economic growth.
- Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway
- Traverses Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno
- Ibadan-Abuja Segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway
- Covers Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano
Economic Relief and Support Measures
The programme includes several key measures designed to provide immediate economic relief to Nigerians and support various sectors.
- One-off Allocation for Buses and CNG Uplift Programme
- N10 billion allocated to states and the Federal Capital Territory for procurement of buses and support for the CNG uplift programme.
- Uplift Grants to Families
- N50,000 uplift grant each to 100,000 families per state for three months.
- Support for Labour Unions and Civil Society Organizations
- Specific provisions to ensure these groups are supported in the current economic climate.
- Foodstuff Distribution
- N155 billion allocated for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuff to be distributed across the nation.
Presidential Address at the National Economic Council Meeting
During the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the need for state governors to collaborate in addressing the needs of citizens. He highlighted the crucial role of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway in boosting food production and stressed the importance of strategic reforms to achieve food security.
Key Points from President Tinubu’s Speech
- Urgency of Food Production: “Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people. Time is humanity’s most precious asset. You can never have enough of it. It is getting late.”
- Support for Agricultural Mechanization: “We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings.”
- Provision of Solar Powered Irrigation: “We are prepared to provide solar-powered irrigation facilities to support our farmers across seasons, but we must now produce. We must produce the food our people eat, and it will require coordination and intentionality between members of the National Economic Council (NEC).”
- Economic Benefits of Food Production: “There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell. We create jobs in the production of it. And that is before we generate wealth by exporting the excess. It is not beyond us to achieve this for Nigerians.”
- Call to Action for Governors: “How much support do you need from me and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days.”
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s approval of the National Construction and Household Support Programme marks a giant step in addressing Nigeria’s pressing economic and agricultural challenges.
By prioritizing key infrastructure projects and providing targeted economic relief measures, the administration is ready to boast productivity, create job opportunities, and ensure food security for all Nigerians.
The collaborative efforts of state governors and the federal government will do well in realizing these ambitious goals and securing a prosperous future for the nation.
Always visit https://microblog.com.ng for update on how you can benefit from the newly introduced UPLIFT GRANTS. Thank you.