Following the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the 36 states of the federation on the need to establish state police, the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday deliberated on the matter as well as the setting up of agro-rangers in the country.
The council, which met virtually in its 139th session under the leadership of Vice President Kashim Shettima, considered the establishment of agro-rangers in the short-term and the possible creation of state police in the long-term to address security threats on farmers.
The deliberation came at the heels of a presentation to the council by the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam.
The Council also moved to ensure food security and put an end to the economic challenges confronting the nation, including making fertilizer available to farmers.
NEC noted that fertilizer is a major ingredient of agricultural productivity which the government is striving to attain and urged the state governors to embrace modern agricultural practices to increase productivity.
The government has already announced plans to release 42,000 metric tonnes of food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve to address rising prices.
Following a presentation by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, on food security in the country, Shettima directed that there should be a meeting of the federal government with major fertilizer producers in the country, including Indorama, Dangote and Notore.
The agriculture minister had also called for action against the dollarization of locally produced commodities like urea, which is impacting negatively fertilizer prices and agricultural productivity.
Shettima noted that with collective efforts in developing a clear and actionable roadmap through short-term, medium, and long-term strategies, Nigeria will overcome its economic challenges in the country.
He has called for sound economic decisions that will reverberate with the expectations of Nigerians.
The vice president expressed hope that with collective efforts in developing a clear and actionable roadmap through short-term, medium, and long-term strategies, Nigeria will overcome its current economic challenges.
He regretted that Nigeria had been a victim of strong averseness to evolving and keeping up with the changing global economic order, leading to a situation where making difficult decisions to maximize its potential has become inevitable.
“We must either redirect the economy towards a place of boom and competitiveness or brace for an impact we are unlikely to survive. So, beyond the heritage of our financial and monetary fiascos, we must compare notes to understand the interconnectedness of the dysfunctions in each sector of the economy,” he stated.
Delivering his opening speech titled, ‘It’s Time To Speed Up Our Prosperity Quest’, Shettima told council members that it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s desire that they all stand together to collectively proffer solutions to safeguard the nation’s economy from imminent implosion.
He observed that while the wealth of every nation is in the belly of its citizens, the government has a long distance to cover in its interventions to enhance “food availability and affordability.
“The call to secure and liberate areas under threat from violence, most of which are arable lands owned by our farming communities, is not just a matter of security but a strategic move to revive the economic lifeblood of our nation,” he added.
Noting that the citizens are only keen on tangible results, the vice president stated: “Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, while economic experts foresaw this transitional phase on our journey to a flourishing future, it is crucial to recognize that the ordinary citizen on the street is not concerned with any economic theory. Their daily concerns are anchored in the tangible.
“They are more invested in the price of maize than the predictions of GDP. So, as we deliberate on intricate economic strategies today, let us remain attuned to the heartbeat of the nation. We must ensure that our decisions resonate with the aspirations of the common man and woman who entrust us with their hopes and dreams.”
Acknowledging that the country is in the midst of a pervasive emergency, Shettima implored state governors, ministers and other NEC members to align their minds and actions with the reality on ground.
and then