- Minister Shuaibu Audu appealed to Nigerians to suspend the #EndBadGovernance protest, urging trust in President Tinubu’s administration and its policies
- Audu cited recent measures like minimum wage hikes, CNG initiatives, and family grants, ensuring food prices drop within 180 days
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, has called on Nigerians to suspend the nationwide ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest against the current government.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Lizzy Okoji, on Saturday in Abuja, Shuaibu appealed for calm as the protest, which began on August 1 and is set to end on August 10, continues in response to national challenges.
The minister urged Nigerians to engage in dialogue to address their concerns and trust President Bola Tinubu’s administration, who said he is diligently working to resolve the country’s issues.
“The policies and strategic plans of the current administration are aimed at driving Nigeria towards economic prosperity, improved welfare, quality education, and strengthened health systems,” Shuaibu stated. He also highlighted efforts in social amenities, food security, and infrastructural development.
Shuaibu assured us that the government was committed to achieving good governance during its first tenure. He cited recent measures such as the N70,000 minimum wage for workers and the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, which aims to reduce transportation costs by at least 70%.
“In response to the challenges faced by the masses, President Tinubu directed the disbursement of N50,000 uplift grants to over 100,000 families per state for three months, impacting close to 5,000,000 families nationwide,” Shuaibu added. He also mentioned that food prices are expected to drop within 180 days, as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari assured.
The minister detailed further plans, including the importation of 250,000 metric tonnes each of wheat and maize to support small-scale processors and millers and the redesign of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to enhance access to affordable healthcare.
“In the steel sector, ongoing reforms aim to revive our steel plants, creating over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs while attracting Foreign Direct Investments to diversify the economy,” he noted.
Shuaibu also expressed concern over miscreants hijacking the protest, causing mayhem and disrupting law and order. He commended the people of Kogi for not participating in the protest and for opting for dialogue and collaboration with the state’s APC-led government.