Tinubu Orders FEC Committee to Crash Food Prices as Economic Hardship Hits High
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that as the economic hardship in the country hit high, president Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to further crash prices of food items across the country.
OTN News further reports that the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the president, stated this earlier this week in Abuja, while presenting a paper at a one-day capacity-building workshop for journalists covering the Senate.
According to him, the president’s order would be enforced to reduce the prices of food items by ensuring the safe passage of products through various routes across the country.
Abdullahi noted that the committee’s action was aimed at realising Tinubu’s vision on food sovereignty.
He said, “I can say it on good authority to you that the president has given a matching order with a federal executive council committee already handling it. On how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country.
“We are aware, and I’m sure as media, you are also aware, there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered. If you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery.
“So, we are working very hard,we are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that.” he added.
Furthermore, Abdullahi explained that the vision for food sovereignty was within the ambit of food security and food sufficiency, which encompassed availability of food, accessibility as well as affordability, and the right nutritional content on a sustainable basis.
According to him, other programmes, such as the ‘Farmer Soil Health Scheme and Cooperative Reform,’ were also awaiting implementation.
“We are having what you call the Farmer Soil Health Scheme. And that is ready for launch; we are just waiting for the date. Mr President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members.
“The principle of cooperation is clear, democratic, yet it is also very productive. So, we are reforming this. There is a number of things we are doing there and I will urge you, as a press corps, to consider forming a cooperative,” he said.
What's Your Reaction?
