Fuel/Naira scarcity: Ogun begins distribution of 400,000 food items to vulnerable residents 

Poised to cushion the effects of fuel and naira scarcity, the Ogun State government has announced its readiness to begin the distribution of 400,000 food items to vulnerable residents of the state.  

Making the announcement during a press conference held at the Presidential Lodge on Friday, the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the 400,000 food items would be the first phase of the palliatives to be distributed through the newly appointed Social Investment Officers, beginning from Saturday.

He expresses the belief that the social intervention programme would provide the needed succour to the people of the state, especially in the face of the cash crunch and fuel scarcity.

Abiodun while apologizing to the people for the inadvertent hardship and inconveniences the naira swap policy has caused them, appealed to security agencies to handle the situation with more professionalism and deeper maturity.

Governor Abiodun who also reiterated that violence can never resolve issues, called on the people of the state to join hands together with the government to solve the lingering problems, adding that attacking banks or any public facility would not do anybody any good. 

While urging the people not to allow unscrupulous elements to take advantage of the challenging times, the governor noted that the period was a phase which would be defeated.

He disclosed that his administration was working hard to tackle the naira supply challenge, while equally working around the clock to facilitate the adequate supply of petroleum products to designated filling stations across the state, saying that the result will be seen in the next few days.

While warning that his administration would treat any erring banks and bankers as economic saboteurs and will not hesitate to wield the big stick on them, the governor appealed to royal fathers, civil society and youth organisations, organised labour and religious leaders, to help sensitize the people on the need to embrace peace and dialogue in resolving the issues on ground.

“While the CBN has assured that there will be adequate money supply to the money deposit banks in the days ahead, we expect the banks to promptly disburse the money as directed and not to divert or withhold the same for whatever reasons. “The government will treat any erring banks and bankers as economic saboteurs and will not hesitate to wield the big stick,” he said.