Governors, led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, address the press after NGF meeting
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to collaborate with the federal government to streamline levies and dismantle unauthorised checkpoints in a bid to ease movement of goods across states.
On Wednesday, the governors held a meeting at the NGF secretariat in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
During the meeting, the governors were briefed by Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).
The NSA was accompanied by Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, minister of defence; Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of livestock development; Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security; and Said Alkali, minister of transportation.
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The briefing focused on the rising cost of food and livestock transportation across the country.
In a communique issued after the meeting, the NGF said proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation, and poor infrastructure were identified as key factors behind spiralling inflation and inefficiencies in the food supply chain.
The NGF said the inter-ministerial committee established to address concerns in the food supply chain has submitted its recommendations to the forum.
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“Governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and expressed commitment to collaborate with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorized checkpoints, and improve the movement of goods across states,” the communique reads.
“The Forum received a presentation from the World Bank on the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
“The Bank highlighted that states have made significant investments through the NG-CARES delivery platforms, with verified impacts reaching over 17 million direct beneficiaries.
“Governors expressed concern over the non fulfilment of funding pledges by the Bank under NG-CARES 1.0.
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“The forum emphasized the need for an amicable resolution between the World Bank and participating states to conclude the first phase of the programme before advancing to NG-CARES 2.0, which is designed to build long-term resilience for vulnerable households and enterprises.”
The communique was signed by Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, chairman of the forum and governor of Kwara state.
