President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the immediate implementation of the National Construction and Household Support Programme across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. This initiative aims to bolster agricultural productivity, invigorate the economy by creating opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction sectors, and provide urgent economic relief to Nigerians.
A significant focus of the programme is the development of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will span Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states. This highway is prioritized due to its strategic importance to agricultural sustainability in Nigeria. The corridor includes 216 agricultural communities, 58 large and medium dams across six states, seven Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), 156 local government areas, 39 commercial cities and towns, and over one million hectares of arable land.
Other prioritized infrastructure projects include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway, connecting Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja.
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Railway Projects
The programme also encompasses full counterpart financing for critical railway projects. The Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway will traverse Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno. Additionally, the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway will cover Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.
Additional Support Measures
The National Construction and Household Support Programme includes several measures to provide immediate relief and boost local economies:
- A one-off allocation of N10 billion to each state and the Federal Capital Territory for procuring buses and supporting the CNG uplift programme.
- N50,000 uplift grants to 100,000 families per state for three months.
- Provisions for labour unions and civil society organizations.
- Deployment of N155 billion for purchasing and distributing assorted foodstuffs nationwide.
Presidential Address at NEC Meeting
During the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the urgency of boosting food production and improving infrastructure. He urged state governors to collaborate effectively to meet citizens’ needs, promising federal support for mechanizing agricultural processes and providing high-quality seedlings and solar-powered irrigation facilities.
“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,” he stated.
He further highlighted the critical role of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway in connecting key agricultural states and facilitating food export through Badagry.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu concluded by calling for immediate action and collaboration, asking governors to report back with their needs within seven days to ensure the swift implementation of the programme.
Economists’ Concerns
Despite the ambitious scope of the programme, economists have raised concerns about the disbursement of funds for food purchase and distribution, in this case, N155 billion. Many believe that this approach could inadvertently exacerbate food insecurity in the country, as it involves mopping up the scarce foods in the markets.
Against this backdrop, economists warn that deploying such a large sum to mop up the limited food supply in markets could further stoke food inflation. With an already insufficient food supply, buying up what little remains could drive prices even higher, making food less affordable for the average Nigerian.
Moreover, the strategy of disbursing money to a select few among many is seen as insufficient to address the deeper economic issues. While short-term relief is necessary, experts contend that it does not tackle the root causes of the country’s economic challenges. They call on the government to address fundamental issues such as insecurity, which severely impacts agricultural productivity and overall economic stability.
Economists suggest that a more sustainable approach would involve comprehensive reforms to improve the security situation, enhance agricultural productivity, and foster a more conducive environment for economic activities. By addressing these underlying issues they said, the government can create lasting solutions that benefit a broader segment of the population.