The Federal Government has approved N5bn for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable them to procure food items as palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, made the disclosure while speaking on the outcome of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
In addition to the fund, Zulum said the Federal Government also released five trucks of rice each to the 36 state governors, adding that the state governors are to procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilizers.
Recall that On 29 May, during his inauguration, President Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy on petrol. This development has caused hardship for many Nigerians with its attendant increase in the prices of goods and services.
At the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended State governors, the council considered varying issues, including the Federation’s financial status, general issues, especially the deployment of palliatives aimed at cushioning the harsh effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
Among governors who attended the meeting were Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Inuwa Yahya (Gombe) Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Dr. Alex Otti (Abia), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Others were Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Senator Uba Sani(Kaduna), Sheriff Obrevwori (Delta), Prof. Charles Soludo (Anambra), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Umaru Namadi (Jigawa).
Also at the meeting were Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Prince Bassey Otu (Cross River), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State acting governor), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ahmad Aliu (Sokoto), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Process Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Deputy governors of Katsina, Rivers, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, Kebbi also participated in the meeting.