Obasanjo tasks govts on 'stomach infrastructure'

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has tasked governments at all levels to address Nigeria food crisis amid rising inflation and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Olusegun disclosed this at the commissioning of 136 Housing Units on Wednesday in Sokoto State where the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III delivered his goodwill message.

He stated that health security and food security, which are necessary for survival, should be prioritized by the government.

According to him, “Governor, after you have taken care of infrastructure, food, transportation, water, sanitation, housing, which we are in now, is more important. That is what we in Nigeria today call ‘stomach infrastructure’.

‘Stomach infrastructure’ in local parlance means taking care of loyalists and supporters in shaping strategies.

Obasanjo said, “After personal security, is food security. There is health security. Personal security takes a bit of health security along with it. Because if you have a correct diet, your health security is taken care of”.

The former President who was the Chief host on the occasion, urged the governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto to take advantage of the large expanse of land left at the housing Estate and construct additional 100 housing Units, bringing the total houses to 236.

Earlier, Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State said the 136 Housing Units, comprising 1-2-3 Bedrooms, were built by the federal government for N3.9 billion.

He disclosed that the Houses were acquired by the State government for N1.8 billion to provide affordable shelters for government workers in Sokoto State.

He lamented that the intervention by his administration would help to bridge the gap in Housing deficit in the State.

He alleged that over 500 state-owned government houses were sold by the immediate past administration without proper records or accountability.

He assured, “facilities at the 136 Housing Units have been provided for all occupants”, and confront the challenges posed by dearth of basic amenities in the State.