•Translate reforms to affordable transport, jobs -Shettima urges govs
By Egena Sunday Ode
The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday approved a 90-day economic action plan to consolidate gains from President Bola Tinubu’s reforms and ease the cost of living for Nigerians.
The Council also received an update on the Ebola case reported in the Federal Capital Territory, with the Health Minister assuring that the country has the capacity to contain it.
NEC’s endorsement followed a presentation by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, at its 161st meeting held virtually and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The 90-day plan identifies five priority areas: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of high-impact projects, resolution of investment bottlenecks and regulated household support.
It focuses on reducing the cost of living, improving food affordability, attracting investment, and accelerating delivery of projects with direct benefits to Nigerians.
The Council approved the establishment of a national dashboard to track ongoing projects across the federation, with emphasis on transparency and how proceeds from fuel subsidy removal are being utilised.
Presenting the economic outlook, Oyedele expressed optimism about progress under the Tinubu administration and said key objectives include reducing headline inflation and interest rates to single digits by 2027.
He said the next phase of reforms would require coordinated implementation across federal and state institutions to translate macroeconomic improvements into measurable benefits for households.
Addressing governors, Vice President Shettima said while President Tinubu’s economic reform programme was designed to achieve broader prosperity, governments at all levels must translate it into improved living conditions.
“The first dividend of prosperity should be the confidence to plan a life. Our task is to make such confidence less dependent on fortune,” he said.
Shettima said the success of economic policies must be measured by their impact on daily lives.
“Nigerians deserve institutions on which they can organise their lives. Providing that assurance is among the most consequential uses of public authority,” he said.
He charged governors to ensure gains translate to affordable transportation, improved healthcare, employment opportunities and greater financial security.
On the National Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Bus Initiative, he said states must support affordable transportation and that success should be judged by affordability and accessibility, not fleet size.
“The cost of reaching a livelihood should never consume the livelihood itself,” Shettima said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, briefed Council on the reported Ebola outbreak in the FCT and allayed fears of a major crisis.
He said the ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has operationalised a robust national response system focusing on coordination, detection at points of entry, laboratory testing, logistics for kits and protective equipment, and strategic communication.
Pate acknowledged 21 states that had updated their response plans and urged the remaining 15 states to expedite preparedness mechanisms.
NEC also received the report of its Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
The Council directed states to conduct post-campaign reviews, especially in areas where children were missed and communities affected by insecurity, and emphasised timely release of counterpart funds and strengthened routine immunisation.
On livestock development, the Council received the report of the committee chaired by Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State and resolved to strengthen collaboration to unlock the sector’s potential for growth, jobs and livelihoods. All states have indicated interest in supporting the Federal Government’s initiatives.
On the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, presented by the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, Council resolved to establish a joint financing framework between Federal and State Governments to accelerate deployment of CNG and electric vehicles.
It directed that the programme must deliver reduced transport costs, not just vehicles, and that transport unions should be engaged to ensure savings are passed to commuters through lower fares.
Our correspondent reports that a committee will be constituted to coordinate the financing arrangement and develop practical measures for affordable, accessible transportation.
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