Spend the money, don't spend the people, Tinubu urges governors

Damilola Ajibola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the 36 State Governors of the federal to pay all outstanding arrears to workers, gratuities to retired workers and pensioners to cushion the effect of the present economic realities in the country.

Tinubu dropped this during his meeting with governors held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

The meeting which equally had in attendance the Vice President Kashim Shettima, agreed on common ground to address some of the challenges currently facing the country especially the rising cost of food and insecurity. 

After extensive deliberations the President and Governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure being faced by the citizens. 

On addressing insecurity which is also affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu made three key pronouncements which included recruitment of more police personnel to strengthen the force. 

Also, the President informed the Governors that the Federal Government would work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.

While charging the governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and armed them to keep all the forest safe from criminals.

The  President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production.

 He advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce  more food. 

While advising them to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. 

He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Security Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants. 

Tinubu charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products. 

 The President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors, and implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged.