The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on the Federal Government to halt expenditure on capital projects such as road construction and instead direct resources towards subsidising food, medicine, and other essential needs.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, MACBAN’s National President, Alhaji Baba Ngelzerma, emphasised the urgent need for this shift in policy amidst the ongoing nationwide hunger protests that began on August 1.
“Nigerians have been facing difficult times over skyrocketing food prices following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira by the Federal Government,” said Ngelzerma. Protesters are urging President Bola Tinubu to reverse these policies to alleviate the burden on citizens.
Addressing the current crisis, Ngelzerma stated, “There is no need to spend money on construction; let all capital projects, like road construction and others, stop for a while and address the issue of food security, medicine, and security challenges squarely. The government should focus on the provision of food and medicine at subsidised rates, making them affordable for the ordinary man. Declare a state of emergency in the economy, suspend all capital projects in the budget, and address the issue of food security squarely.”
On the issue of insecurity, Ngelzerma urged the government to engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers. He highlighted the importance of including various stakeholders in these discussions.
“The government should get the views of those in the forest, farmers who always complain of bandit attacks, vigilante groups who are working to protect their communities, traditional rulers, and religious leaders. With their input through dialogue, we can find solutions to security challenges,” Ngelzerma added.
