The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has urged Nigerians to remain calm amidst the current economic challenges.

“Nigerians must remain calm. President Bola Tinubu is working to improve the economy,” Akume said while addressing the National Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

The SGF stated that the current administration took over power when the economy was in a turbulent state, noting, however, that massive reforms were being undertaken.

“One of them, which appears to be a little bit tough for people to understand, is the removal of subsidy on fuel. People should stop shouting; they need to know the actual truth,” he said.

Akume noted that the government had taken several measures to address current hardship, including swift actions in implementing palliatives to cushion the effects of the reforms.

Akume: Labour leaders committed treason by shutting down national grid

Akume added: “We are all aware of the N35,000 wage award for workers, which means a N30,000 minimum wage with N35,000 on top of that.

“Additionally, N100 billion for CNG fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices.”

He stated that the government also took some measures to support various sectors.

The SGF said: “These include the allocation of N125 billion in conditional grants and financial inclusion for medium and small enterprises, and N150 billion in palliative loans to states to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

“We are providing N200 billion to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now.”

He added that there were buses ready to be distributed soon, while rice and other essentials would also be made available.

On the recent strike by the Organised Labour, Akume condemned the shutdown of the national grid, describing it as a “treasonable offence”.

Akume said: “It is treason. Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.

“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The nation is picking up and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way.”

The Star