Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Tuesday called on organizers of the proposed protest to shelve the idea and come to a roundtable and dialogue with Federal Government, saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms have started yielding fruitfull results.
Badaru said that as the nation’s economy is on a gradual but steady path of recovery, the current administration will do more to meet the needs of the citizens.
The Minister, who spoke in a statement by Ministry of Defence Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, states that “the reforms initiated by Mr. President have started improving the lives of Nigerians as the economic growth in Q1 2024 was the second fastest first-quarter growth in the last six years.
“Defence strategy as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda in improving security is yielding result as well. Mr. President is committed to the safety of lives and property through various security interventions.
“There is serious improvement in security as most of the roads and highways hitherto closed due to insecurity have been opened. Herders and farmers clashes have been solved by the creation of Livestock Ministry and many farmers have returned to their farms. Mr. President is supporting the farmers and has encouraged State Governors to do same. Also, there is massive surrendering of terrorists and high profile terrorist kingpins have been arrested.
“Another example of President Tinubu’s initiative is the creation of instrument to support students. The introduction of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme was initiated to increase access to higher education and reduce financial burdens on students.”
Furthermore, the Defence Minister noted that “another innovation of Mr. President is the massive increase in funding for infrastructures like roads, rails, energy, irrigation (Dams and Channels) through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF).”
The Minister opined that the innovation of selling crude oil to indigenous refining companies in Naira is another robust effort by Mr. President and the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into Law, which is aimed at enhancing the welfare of the Nigerian Workers are all efforts at stabilising the economy.
He also stated that another bold step taken by Mr. President is the autonomy granted to the Local Governments for effective accountability, development at the grassroots and strengthening of governance.
Adding that the President has also given different levels of palliatives to the State Government to support Nigerians to live a better life, in addition to social security intervention to states (Sub-Nationals), Post Subsidy Removal Presidential Grant and Loans Scheme, Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) and Skilled-Up Artisan Initiative (SUPA).
The Minister said that “since the launch of compressed natural gas initiative (CNG) by Mr. President, it is expected that the cost of transportation will reduce as much as 50 percent adding that, this has unlocked the nation’s huge potential in the gas sector. CNG conversion centres are growing exponentially across the country thereby creating job opportunities.”
Badaru noted that the Federal Government has also made available 30,000 kits for the conversion 30,000 petrol-powered engines at no cost within the next 90 days. Also, the first batch of CNG Mass Transit Buses procured by the Federal Government for distribution to the 36 states and FCT have arrived.
In addressing the high cost of drugs and to encourage local production, the Minister Stated that Mr. President has signed an executive order introducing zero tariffs and duties on imports of raw materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing equipment.
Also, the Federal Government has conducted two rounds of disbursement for primary healthcare revitalisation through the basic health provision fund.
While acknowledging the democratic right to protest, the Minister cautioned against using the protest to cause mayhem, emphasizing that the proposed August 1 protest is poorly timed given the positive turnaround in the economy.