The Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Thursday morning expressed empathy for Nigerians facing economic hardships and voiced optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s reform efforts will soon yield positive outcomes.
The Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, conveyed the governors’ sentiments while speaking to reporters after the NGF meeting in Abuja.
Following the fuel subsidy removal, Nigerians have seen sharp increases in fuel prices, which have escalated the costs of goods and services and strained household budgets.
Uzodinma acknowledged the burden on citizens, saying, “We sympathize with our people and acknowledge the hardship in the country. We also appreciate the reforms being carried out by the President; our prayer is that the relief we are waiting for will come as soon as possible. This way, we can begin to leverage the benefits of the reforms and work towards a better Nigeria.”
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, the NGF Chairman, also emphasized the governors’ commitment to improving national security through strengthened collaboration with the Department of State Services and the National Security Adviser’s office.
“We also received the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, who briefed us on the total subsidy removal and the challenges facing the corporation, as well as his plans to alleviate the suffering of our people caused by the increase in pump prices,” Uzodinma shared.
He assured that NNPC Limited and other stakeholders are working diligently to address fuel shortages and long queues at fueling stations. Additionally, he urged relevant agencies to expedite repairs of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries to increase domestic production and stabilize petroleum prices.
In the meeting, the governors received an update from Kyari on NNPC’s initiatives, including the “Production War Room,” which aims to boost crude oil production and enhance security measures to prevent illegal connections and vandalism.
“Emphasis was placed on the role of the Production War Room in accelerating production and addressing bottlenecks in Nigeria’s upstream sector,” Uzodinma said. “Governors acknowledged the importance of these measures in securing the nation’s energy resources and improving the efficiency and resilience of NNPC’s production and supply chain.”
The NGF also welcomed a presentation from the African Medical Centre of Excellence, a specialized 500-bed hospital project aimed at advancing medical care in oncology, cardiovascular, and hematological fields.
The governors committed to fostering partnerships for the facility’s development, with hopes of improving healthcare access and outcomes for Nigerians.
Addressing national security, Uzodinma revealed that the governors were briefed by the newly appointed Director General of DSS on prevailing security concerns. The briefing highlighted inter-agency collaboration, enhanced monitoring, and enforcement measures to combat illegal activities.
“Governors recognized the significance of these efforts and reiterated their support for collaborative actions to safeguard the nation,” he said.
Further, the Pioneer Director of State Liaison from the National Security Adviser’s office outlined strategies to bolster communication and collaboration on state-level security issues.
“Governors affirmed the importance of this collaboration and expressed their commitment to actively engage in coordinated efforts that improve communication, align security priorities, and ensure a safer environment across all states,” Uzodinma concluded.
He reaffirmed that all 36 governors remain committed to supporting President Tinubu’s administration and advancing the interests of all Nigerians through these multi-sectoral initiatives.
