Dr Abiodun Essiet, a Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement in the North-Central region, has said the President is aware of the rising cost of essential food items, including eggs and bread, contrary to suggestions that only journalists understand the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
Essiet, who also represents the Presidency at the North Central Citizens’ Assembly, made this known while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
She maintained that the President regularly receives briefings on the living conditions of Nigerians through community engagement activities and members of the Federal Executive Council.
“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.
The presidential aide added that Tinubu was familiar with the prices of everyday commodities because of the regular updates he receives.
“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,” Essiet stated.
Speaking on infrastructure development, she described it as a critical component of the administration’s efforts to improve living conditions, citing the public response to the planned reconstruction of the Mokwa-Bida road in Niger State.
According to her, the road has remained a major concern for residents, who have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to address its poor condition.
Essiet claimed that the road was last awarded for reconstruction 46 years ago, adding that its deteriorating state 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.
She further disclosed that Tinubu had directed that the road be reconstructed with reinforced concrete rather than conventional asphalt to improve its durability.
“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 ongoing concerns over the cost of living, particularly food prices, which continue to put pressure on households across the country.
On October 19, Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed optimism that food prices would decline in the coming weeks as the Federal Government continued efforts to address challenges affecting agricultural production.
Shettima made the statement at a forum titled Together Till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy, organised by the City Boy Movement alongside the Relax-Tinubu-Is-Fixing-Nigeria movement, both of which support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
