As it prepares for the celebration of its first year in office, the federal government has promised to bring down the cost of living and doing business in Nigeria.
The cost of living and doing business has skyrocketed since the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration removed fuel subsidy and adopted other drastic reforms.
But yesterday, the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Tinubu is committed to ensuring the cost of living and doing business in Nigeria is brought down significantly by putting more money into the pockets of Nigerians, attracting more local and foreign investment, and transforming the nation’s infrastructure.
“And we will not pause or relent until we have delivered truly Renewed Hope to all Nigerians,” he said.
The minister said the president has started laying a solid and enduring foundation that will make life better for the people of Nigeria.
He said, “Landmark initiatives like the Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas, the N200 billion Presidential Grant and Loan Scheme, our Agriculture and Food Security efforts (including the launch of Dry Season Farming, and massive fertiliser distribution).
“The Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme, our reform efforts in the electricity sector, and in the area of taxes and fiscal policy, and the negotiations for a befitting new National Minimum Wage – are some of the many policies and programmes that will directly touch and improve the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of Nigerians,” he said.
The minister spoke in Abuja at the launch of the Nigerian National Information Portal, as the official digital gateway to comprehensive information about the country.
Idris, who launched the portal at the commencement of the Ministerial Sectoral Briefings to mark the first anniversary of the Tinubu Administration, yesterday in Abuja, said the portal serves as a centralised source for both local and international audiences.
“Providing reliable and up-to-date information on various aspects of the nation, including the government, the people of Nigeria, their cultural heritage and many more.
“We use this opportunity to launch the Nigerian National Information Portal. Of course, it was in existence before but it has been so badly managed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has resuscitated this new portal.
“It is a gateway to all the information you require to know about this government; about Nigeria, people, and our cultures. So, join me in clapping for Nigeria for having this relaunched new National Information Portal,” he said.
The minister said the commemoration of the administration’s first anniversary offers the opportunity to present the government’s scorecard to the Nigerian people, by telling the story of what has been done so far to fulfill pledges and promises made to the people.
The first session of the briefing had the minister of budget and national planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, minister of FCT Nyesom Wike, minister of youth development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim Bio, minister of steel development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, minister of state for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, minister of state for petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and the minister of state for youth development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.
