Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised the immediate rollout of the National Construction and Household Support Programme across all geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
During the 141st National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu allocated N155 billion for the purchase and distribution of assorted foodstuff nationwide. Additionally, a one-off sum of N10 billion has been earmarked for states and the Federal Capital Territory under the CNG uplift programme to procure buses.
Part of the urgent disbursements includes a N50,000 uplift grant per family for three months, benefiting 100,000 families per state. Labour unions and civil society organisations are also included in the support programme.
President Tinubu urged state governors to collaborate closely to meet citizens’ needs, pledging full support to alleviate hardships across the nation.
Highlighting the importance of agricultural production, President Tinubu underscored the significance of projects like the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, crucial for Nigeria’s food belt spanning Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states.
Addressing the National Economic Council, President Tinubu called for coordinated efforts to achieve food security, job creation, and wealth generation through agricultural excellence.
The programme prioritises critical infrastructure such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic development.
In a statement by the President’s Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, it was disclosed that President Tinubu also sanctioned full counterpart financing for key railway projects, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway and the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway, vital for Nigeria’s transportation network and economic growth.
The Sokoto-Badagry Highway, with its extensive reach across agricultural communities and industrial zones, remains a focal point in Nigeria’s drive towards sustainable agricultural development.