Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed worry over the worsening hardship caused by the nation’s declining economy.
Mohammed said the masses are experiencing hunger which is translating into anger, adding that inflation and food insecurity are contributing to the hardship.
The governor made the remark on Friday during his opening remarks at the State Executive Council emergency meeting.
He disclosed readiness to engage stakeholders for the development of aquaculture and dry-season farming in the state, particularly at the Gubi Dam site at the Ganjuwa Local Government Area, aimed at addressing hunger and poverty among citizens of the state.
Mohammed said; “I called this meeting because it’s almost an emergency because there is hunger and anger and the common man does not differentiate between the federal and the state government’s responsibilities. It is not easy to just pass the buck and say it is the federal government’s responsibility –it is all our responsibility.
“Our food security is in jeopardy and we have to look at things passionately. Of course, we are at the centre of the country and we are almost the food basket. Every day, trailers of food are leaving this state and going to other places. And what are we doing to make sure that we have some relief for our people? The best we can do as a government is to make sure that we pay salaries and wages even though they are grossly not enough to put food on the table.”
Addressing journalists after the council meeting, Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, said the government has noted with great concern, the challenges of food security and availability in the state.