Before The End of The Year, I Will Slash Food Prices By 90 Percent – Gov. Bago Boasts

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has declared that the youth of the state will not participate in the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship, scheduled from August 1-10.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with stakeholders at the Justice Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre in Minna on Thursday, July 18, Governor Bago emphasized the peaceful nature of the youth in Niger State, assuring that they would not be drawn into any protests.

“We, as the youth of Niger State, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and seek peace and tranquility,” Bago stated. “You can start demonstrations, but you cannot always control their outcomes. To the youths who are considering this protest, let us end this agitation. Let us communicate and dialogue to find the best way forward.”

In a bid to alleviate the economic hardship facing the people, Governor Bago announced the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains to be sold at 50 percent of the current price. He called on security agencies to ensure strict adherence to this directive.

“We have over 100,000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, out of which we will release 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50 percent of its current price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food prices by 90 percent,” he assured.

Governor Bago also expressed his support for the autonomy of local governments, urging them to improve their performance, noting that many could not pay salaries for an entire year. He emphasized that the state government does not rely on the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to finance its projects.

“I do not need FAAC in Niger State. The roads I am building and the projects I have undertaken are not funded by FAAC. We are producing and that is the secret behind our progress. There are people who have invested in Niger State for the next five years,” he noted.

Regarding the subsidized food, Governor Bago explained, “The food I am giving out at 50 percent subsidy was originally meant for export, but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed the residents of Niger State.”