FG responsible for hunger protests – Obaseki

Maureen Aguta

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has said that the Federal Government is responsible for the hardship in the country.

This was as hunger protesters in Edo State held a church service on the street.

Speaking via a statement on Sunday, the governor stated that his administration has implemented several people-oriented programmes to reduce the suffering of Edo people, a situation caused by various policies introduced by the Federal Government.

He listed some of the programmes to include raising the minimum wage for workers to ₦70,000 to boost their purchasing power, introducing a free transport scheme along the routes operated by the Edo City Transport Service, extending free Wi-Fi services to public spaces to help citizens telecommute and kick-starting a state-wide feeding for the vulnerable implementing partnership with Christians and Muslim institutions, among others.

Obaseki said, “The protest is obviously the result of the difficult living conditions which Nigerians have had to endure particularly over the last one year, arising from various policies that have been implemented by the Federal Government.

“These policies have taken a severe toll on citizens who have had to endure astronomic high food prices, high transportation costs, galloping inflation and loss of operating capital by small business owners across the country.

“In Edo State, we have taken several actions within our constitutional authority to reduce the suffering and hardship of our people by showing empathy and supporting our people to weather and survive this trying time despite the challenges witnessed across the nation.”