"TINUBU KNOWS THE PRICES OF EGGS AND BREAD IN NIGERIA" - PRESIDENTIAL AIDE, ABIODUN ESSIET INSISTS
A Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement in the North-Central region, Dr Abiodun Essiet, has insisted that the President is fully aware of the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, including the rising prices of basic food items.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Essiet dismissed the idea that journalists are the only people who understand the hardship Nigerians are experiencing.
According to her, community engagement activities and regular briefings from members of the Federal Executive Council keep the President informed about the realities on the ground.
“I don’t feel it’s only media people who understand what the people are facing. Some of the realities our people are experiencing are what we communicate to Mr President,” she said.
Essiet further stressed that Tinubu is aware of the prices of everyday commodities, despite suggestions otherwise.
“I usually tell people, you think Mr President doesn’t know the price of egg or bread in the market? He does, because we brief him regularly, and so do members of the Federal Executive Council,” she stated.
She also spoke about infrastructure, highlighting the planned reconstruction of the Mokwa-Bida road in Niger State, which she said had remained a major concern for residents for decades.
Essiet claimed the road was last awarded for reconstruction 46 years ago and said its poor condition had contributed to fatal accidents involving motorists and heavy-duty vehicles.
“The last time that road was given out on contract was 46 years ago. So tell me if that is not the wish of the people,” she said.
“Mr President said they should award the contract and make sure that the contract will be reinforced concrete, not just asphalt,” she added.
Her comments come amid continued concerns over food prices and the cost of living, with Vice President Kashim Shettima recently expressing optimism that food prices would ease in the coming weeks.