NACP Chairman, Aderibigbe Laments Economic Hardship, Proffers Solutions
Perturbed by the hunger and sufferings faced by Nigerians on a daily basis, prompting a planned Nationwide Protest, Amb. Dr. John Aderibigbe, Chairman, National Agricultural Commodities Projects, NACP, has called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, led federal government to swiftly address the situation before it escalates.
Aderibigbe said the only response to the situation is for President Tinubu to empathize with the people, as the masses are the ones bearing the brunt of the economic downturn bedeviling the nation, mostly in the area of consumables.
The United Nations Ambassador for Peace said that there is 45percent inflation in the food and beverages industry compared to other countries.
In a statement through his Media Aide, Akinwale Kasali, Dr. Aderibigbe, Proffered Solutions that would mitigate the challenges of food production in the country.
He said, “No doubt, the purchasing power is abysmally low, taxes is spiking daily, what the FG need to do is to improvise Solutions that can mitigate challenges of small households, formal and informal sectors.
“Before now, the FG has declared a State of Emergency on Food Production, and with the Local Government Autonomy verdict by the Supreme Court, President Tinubu should announce food production in the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria, and initiate Farming Support Schemes in partnership with all microfinance Banks, Bank of Agriculture and Insurance companies.
“This will further cushion the effect of the economic pains and burden of the masses.
“The Nationwide protest is a gain for the government rather than loss. Every economy of the world is rather going through a downturn trend.
“No doubt, the stiffened situation has actually affected everyone through means of livelihoods. countries like China, India, and Thailand, in the past, went through worse situations, and they rather created a local Solutions.
“I would rather suggest that the 774 local government of the NACP grassroots food production can help in cushioning the effect of the hardship, support youth employment and women inclusion in governance.
“This support scheme will rather be captured as a PPP programme for consistency in the future, and also, this program would support the cottage industry through the state who will deisgn the model.
“The federal government will be the offtaker of all farm food produced, the state shall be the partner who would help to support the cottage industry in the state to add value on farm produce for state consumption or export purposes.
“Now that autonomy has been given to local government, they will support the farmers with lands and securities to man the farms as well as help in the purchase of inputs.”
Speaking further, he said the President needs to urgently address this issue and give the people a sense of belonging.
Aderibigbe, however, pleaded with the promoters of the planned Nationwide Protest to give the President a chance, as he remains optimistic that the economic fortunes of the nation will positively change soonest.
“I appeal with Nigerians to please bear with the FG, as the President and his team are not leaving any Stone unturned in addressing the yearnings of Nigerians.
“Mr. President is working assiduously well to make the nation great again and make the nation be at par with the comity of nations economically. Let us give him a chance and support him, “Aderibigbe stated.
