N5bn palliative: Reach out to rural residents, they are the real sufferer of the harsh economy – Comrade Iche to Pres. Tinubu.
By Onome Naomi
Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, the founder of Ambassadors Of Peace & Enlightenment Foundation (AMPEF ) “The Voice of The Voiceless” staged a rally in the suburb part of Lagos on 19th August, 2023 tagged “LET THE POOR BREATH”. The rally was carried out to buttress on the situation befalling the people especially those in the rural part in a demonstration meant to reveal how dire the economy situation is felt by the Nigerian citizens who can barely afford 2 square meals a day, due to the continuous rising cost of food commodities especially staple foods.
Comrade Iche conveyed this message of a harsh reality to Pres.Tinubu during a rally which involves the residents of Ijegun Ijeododo in complaint of the rise in price of food commodities leading to hunger, starvation as well as poor and unhealthy living conditions.
During the demonstration, a few of the participants spoke extensively on how prices of food commodities progressed from a stable amount to a very high cost making it hard for people to survive. In addition those who have children in school also talked about the high cost of educational materials and school fees due to the inflation rate in the country, the economic situation affecting the low and middle class populace seems like a never ending one hence a need for a redress by the Federal Government.
Iche noted that the N5bn to cushion the effect of inflation will not get to those in the rural areas who truly needs to survive with the help of this palliatives, he urged that Pres. Tinubu critically look into seeing that the rural dwellers benefits from this aid. He demonstrated several episodes of a random visit in a video survey to food stuff and essential commodity stalls to unravel the extensiveness of the critical situation befalling the people of the rural setting as he compares prices of goods in 2022 and what is now in 2023 especially after the change of Government.
It was revealed that prices of food stuff had taken a very drastic turn in hike as food commodities like rice 🍚 now cost N800 for one derica as against the previous price of N250, other staple foods also cost 3ce it’s previous prices even as it is being produced in Nigeria. He mentioned that possible causes of the inflation is due to insecurity issues where farmers are afraid to go to farms to plant or harvest due to the invasion of herdsmen. Another obvious factor is the removal of fuel subsidy without proper plans to save the citizens of it’s adverse effect on the economy.
He implores that the govt should make sure the allocated funds for the palliatives reach the rural areas, the FG should look critically into the hike of food commodities, remove the subsidy or put in some effective measures in place to sustain the citizens.
Read Also:ASIS 2023: African Development Community Gathers in Lagos to Discuss 7-Year Plan for Accelerated Development in Africa.
NDLEA raids drug warehouse in Lagos, recovers N4.8billion worth of opioids
At the end of the excercise, Comrade Iche gave out some food relief packages to participants as well as monetary assistance he had given from time to time to those in need, asks the govt and individual who can reach out to those in need to do so to relieve the poor from economic distress.
Advises Pres. Tinubu to also consider its citizens in giving hardship allowance as he has done to the leaders in government.
See video:
