• Say 50% salary cut to support food supply will be renewed after six months
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, begged Nigerian youths on Monday to shelve the 10-day proposed nationwide protest scheduled to commence between August 1 and 10, 2024.
Noting that the House shares in the economic situation Nigerians are going through, the Speaker assured that the 50% salary cut by the members of the House of Representatives to help indigent Nigerians amid the current economic challenges can be renewed after 6 months.
While noting that no sacrifice is too much to cushion the effect of the current socioeconomic hardship in the country, Hon. Abbas, however, pleaded with the people, especially the youth, to exercise patience as concerted efforts are currently ongoing to end hunger in the land.
The Speaker, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, at the inauguration of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security and the investiture of the Speaker as Patron, organised by the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, specifically appealed to the people to shun the planned protest and emphasised that it is detrimental to the development of the country.
He said, “The growing concern over food security in our country resulting from the prevailing food hike in food prices and the economic challenges we are currently facing as a nation reinforces the urgent need for this gathering.
“Today’s event gives our nation renewed optimism and reassures Nigerians that, as representatives of the people, we identify with them at this critical time just as we take concrete steps to support the Federal Government’s efforts to address the food and nutritional issues in our country.
“We have therefore commenced a crucial journey today that will restore hope to our suffering masses and guarantee the enhancement of their well-being.
“We must admit that this is not the best of times in our nation for all citizens, but as we have demonstrated in our last plenary, we have shown concern with the contribution of 50 per cent of our salaries to support food supplies for the people.
“This 50 per cent is renewable after 6 months, and if the problem is not solved, then we do it for another 6 months or one year. But that is not enough; we have to work closely with the executive to find sustainable solutions to the food challenges.
“It is important to use this opportunity to reassure Nigerians once again that we share their pains, discomforts, sufferings, and depressions following the worrisome costs of food items and the decline in nutritional standards.”
Speaker Abbas further said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated an obvious commitment towards finding a lasting solution to the current economic situation.
“As today’s event has demonstrated, we are committed to working with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government towards finding lasting solutions to the current situation.
“As you can see in this hall, major stakeholders with regards to this issue are seated, and that shows the commitment of the cabinet of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has given them a marching order to find a solution to the hydra-headed problems of this country in this sector, and I appreciate you for taking up that order and marching forward.
“I urge Nigerians to give the executive cabinet members of this cabinet of the president the support that they need to make these dreams and visions a mission that all of us will be proud of. We cannot afford to fight those who are fighting for the youth and the women.
“I urge Nigerians to continue to exercise patience and avoid any protest that may aggravate the situation on the ground.
“We are already trying to manage a problem. Let us not escalate it. Commencing a protest is not the issue. It’s how it ends that matters. Do not listen to the voices of naysayers. Protest is not the solution.
“Let us support government policies, and I can assure you, with a little patience, this will amount to delayed gratification for a greater gain in time to come. Please be patient.
“We will not rest in our pursuit of legislative measures desirable to improve this worrisome situation. You can count on us; we will not rest until you are happy,” Speaker Abbas said.
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