The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has urged Nigerians to remain calm amidst current economic challenges, assuring them that President Bola Tinubu is actively working to improve the economy.
Speaking to the National Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Thursday, Akume detailed several measures the government is implementing to address the hardships. He also cautioned labor unions against actions that could undermine the efforts of the Tinubu administration.
Akume noted that the administration inherited a turbulent situation, highlighting issues such as poorly managed foreign reserves and other sectors.
“We took over in a very turbulent weather. Foreign reserves were zero, but there have been massive reforms carried out by the president. One of them, which appeared to be a little bit tough for people to understand, is the subsidy removal of fuel. People should stop shouting; they need to know the actual truth,” Akume stated.
He emphasized that the administration has swiftly implemented palliatives to mitigate the effects of these reforms.
“We are all aware of the 35,000 naira wage award for workers, which means a 30,000 naira minimum wage with 35,000 on top of that. Additionally, 100 billion naira for CNG fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices,” he added.
Akume also outlined the government’s support for various sectors, including the allocation of 125 billion naira in conditional grants and financial inclusion for medium and small enterprises, as well as 150 billion naira in palliative loans to states to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
“We are providing 200 billion naira to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now,” he added.
Addressing recent disruptions, Akume condemned the shutdown of the national grid, calling it a treasonable offense.
“Nowhere in the world has labor ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.
“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The president is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way,” he said.
Reflecting on the process of setting the minimum wage, Akume explained, “In 2019, the minimum wage was legislated up to 30,000 naira. It is an exclusive issue in the constitution, not on the concurrent list, but on the exclusive legislative list. That is why it is the federal government, working with organized private sector and labor, that recommends it to the president for the national assembly’s attention.”
Reassuring the public, Akume stated, “It is not that we are not working. We are working, and that is why we implemented the 35,000-naira wage, which is more than the minimum wage. There are buses ready to be distributed, and soon, rice and other essentials will be available.”
Akume also stressed the importance of collaboration between the church and the government in providing essential services such as education, health, and agriculture.
“The church must collaborate with the government in providing facilities for people whether it is in education, health, or agriculture. We don’t separate; we combine. There is a symbiotic relationship that can never be destroyed,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing the government’s focus on productivity and economic stability.
“Our people must rise up and have something in their pockets. It is not about demanding 100,000 naira without productivity. We are looking at controlling inflation and ensuring a balanced economy,” he asserted.
