The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Federal Government to harmonise levies, dismantle illegal checkpoints, and enhance the seamless movement of food and goods across the country.
This resolution was reached at the end of the NGF meeting held in Abuja, as contained in a communiqué signed by the forum’s Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and read to journalists by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the meeting focused on pressing national issues, especially the escalating cost of food and disruptions in the supply chain.
He revealed that the forum received a detailed briefing from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who was joined by the Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation. Their presentation identified illegal taxation, numerous checkpoints, and poor infrastructure as major causes of rising food prices and logistical inefficiencies.
“The NSA informed the governors that a high-level inter-ministerial committee has been constituted to tackle these issues and has already submitted recommendations for endorsement,” Sanwo-Olu said.
In response, the governors expressed a collective commitment to support federal efforts in streamlining levies, eliminating unauthorised checkpoints, and improving interstate goods movement to address inflation and ensure food security.
The forum also addressed funding concerns regarding the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme. According to Sanwo-Olu, the World Bank made a presentation highlighting that states had invested over $2.2 billion in the NG-CARES 1.0 initiative, impacting more than 17 million direct beneficiaries.
However, governors voiced their displeasure over the Bank’s failure to fully deliver on funding pledges.
“The forum emphasized the need for an amicable resolution between the World Bank and participating states to conclude the first phase before transitioning to NG-CARES 2.0, which aims to build long-term resilience for vulnerable households and enterprises,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The overnight meeting was attended by governors from Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Plateau, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, Ogun, and Edo States.
Comments