The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Food scarcity

  • Tackling food scarcity

    Tackling food scarcity

    •New government measures deserve support of all

    If there is one puzzling thing in the country today, it is the rate at which the cost of food items has been shooting beyond the roof. The last inflation statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that it has shot past the 40 per cent mark, which is a serious cause for worry.

    In a country where trust in government has been low for a while, a lot of conspiracy theories have been whirling around from both expected and unexpected quarters. As usual in such circumstances, while the root of the situation could be traced to previous administrations, the people are wont to visit their anger on the current government. Not many agree that there is little a government could have done within one year to tackle the starvation staring the people in the face. Truly, hunger reigns in the land and a hungry man is an angry man.

    In a bid to quickly arrest the attempt by opposition figures to hijack the incipient protest by them, and assuage frustration of the people, government has rolled out short and medium term schemes. As soon as it came into power, recognising the restiveness that followed the twin measures of removing subsidy on petroleum products and managed floating of the exchange rate markets, government announced that it was prepared to tackle food insecurity headlong. For that purpose, the finance and agriculture ministers were brought into the security council. However, despite the measures laid out, not much would appear to have been achieved, given the soaring prices of food items in the markets. Killer herders and bandits still attack farmers on their way to work, others are forced to pay taxes to be allowed access to their land. Wherever the herders face, they leave tears and blood in their trail.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, Labour, OPS okay N70,000 as  minimum wage

    It is good that the Tinubu administration has decided to take a step further in taming the food inflation monster by suspending tariffs and taxes on certain imported staple food. Those rates had been imposed to protect local farmers and boost productivity. The previous government, in a bid to promote the Central Bank of Nigeria intervention in agriculture had sought to encourage others, especially the youths, to join the league of farmers. But, it failed, hence where we are today.

    We commend the government for this intervention, especially if it takes into account worries expressed by economists and agriculturists that its decision to suspend tariffs on food items would end up stifling local initiatives and shoving aside the local farmers and others in the value chain, such as millers. One of those who have criticised the move is former agriculture minister, Akinwumi Adesina. But, the Federal Government has explained that it is aware of the danger, hence the suspension of the tariffs for only 150 days. It is thus a short term measure that would allow the crashing of prices and save lives of the vulnerable.

    To complement this, trucks of grains are being shipped to states to support the poor. Some are also on the roll for conditional cash transfer that is expected to take off soon.

    On education, about N32 billion is said to have been released for the commencement of the students loan scheme. These should count for something in terms of boosting disposable income. When the minimum wage increase is effected, this would further ease the pressure on the workers. The only concern in this wise is the negative effect this could have on inflation, given the proclivity of traders to respond swiftly to such moves.

    We call on the government to regularly consult the economic teams and implement the distilled recommendations.

    The underground campaign for a chaotic protest must be nipped in the bud by instituting superior schemes that would win the support of the majority and isolate the violent elements on the fringe of the society. Nigeria needs all the peace that could be mustered in the interest of development. The Tinubu government deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt that it would faithfully implement the Renewed Hope Agenda on which basis it was elected last year. Matters relating to scarcity of food are too emotive to be left to fester. It has led to rice or bread riots in some countries, for example. After the destructive ENDSARS riots of October 2020, Nigeria cannot afford another mischievous protest. The government is on the right track. It needs to move more swiftly in implementing the short term measures without taking eyes off the medium and long term plans.

  • Food scarcity: Jos inmates protest plan to cut rice ration

    Food scarcity: Jos inmates protest plan to cut rice ration

    Hundreds of inmates at the Jos Correctional Centre, Plateau State yesterday staged a violent protest over alleged plans by the facility’s authority to reduce the amount of rice and beans they consume as a result of the rise in the price of essential commodities.

    In Zaria, Kaduna State, some desperate hoodlums attacked a truck loaded with spaghetti and looted its content.

    No fewer than 10 suspects were arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police.

    The Nation learnt that the officer in charge of feeding at the Jos correctional facility had gathered the inmates at about 11:45 am to inform them about the discussion he had with the contractor supplying them food on the rise in the price of food items and the plan to reduce the number of times they consume rice from four times a week to two times.

    It was gathered that the arrangement did not go down well with the inmates, who resorted to violence, throwing stones and other objects at the staff of the center. 

    The inmates’ action prompted the officials to shoot into the air, apparently to scare them from wreaking havoc.

    The Comptroller of Corrections, Plateau State Command, Mr. Raphael Ibihunwa, confirmed the incident, saying the protest by the inmates stemmed from the plan by the contractor that feeds them to reduce the number of times they consume rice in a week.

    According to him, while the person in charge was trying to convey the message of the contractor to the inmates, there was a pandemonium as the plan to serve rice twice a week did not go down well with the inmates.

    Ibihunwa said: “This morning, as usual, I went to the yard to see what was going on there. I saw an officer addressing the inmates, and when I asked what was going on, he told me he was briefing them on the outcome of his conversation with the contractor that is billed to supply them food this month.

    “He said the contractor stated that he would not be able to feed them rice four times a week any longer because of the high cost of food items and could only cope by reducing it to twice a week. 

    “The proposal for last year was that inmate feeding should increase, which has not taken off. So when he called them this morning to explain things to them, they didn’t like it.

    “When I was informed, I told him to tell them to get back to their rooms, but they refused to go back.

    “So when they remained adamant, some canisters of tear gas were released and gunshots were fired into the air to force them into their rooms.

    “That was how we were able to save the situation. Before that, they had started throwing stones and other objects at the staff.”

    According to him, normalcy has since returned to the correctional center and workers were going about their normal duties.

    He said that no inmate sustained any injury.

    Read Also: Food scarcity: Customs to distribute rice, other food items

    10 arrested as hoodlums attack truck, loot spaghetti in Zaria

    About 10 suspects were reportedly arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police as hoodlums yesterday attacked a BUA truck conveying cartons of spaghetti at Dogarawa axis of Zaria-Kano Expressway.

    Although the Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan could not confirm the arrest when he was contacted yesterday as he promised to get details of the incident and get back to our correspondent, eye witnesses said the incident occurred at about 3.15pm as the truck’s driver parked by the roadside to observe prayer at Dogarawa, a settlement on the outskirts of Zaria.

    One of the sources, Umar Shehu, said as soon as the driver parked, the hoodlums started carting away the cartons of spaghetti contained in the truck.

    Shehu said the hoodlums emptied the entire truckload of pasta before the arrival of security operatives while the truck driver, who could not stop the hoodlums, wept profusely.

    He said the unfortunate incident was first of its kind in their community and environs.

    “Not a single carton of the spaghetti was left by the hoodlums,” another eyewitness said, adding that a team of police personnel deployed to the scene of the incident arrested about 10 of the suspected hoodlums.

  • Food scarcity: Customs to distribute rice, other food items

    Food scarcity: Customs to distribute rice, other food items

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said yesterday, that it has concluded arrangements that will enable it dispose seized food items to Nigerians.

    The measure, the Comptroller-Genetal of the service, Adewale Adeniyi said, is part of its commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda, andmitigates the soaring costs of staple food items across the country.

    In a press statement issued by its National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdullahi Maiwada, said that the modalities for the disposal of the hygienic food items would be communicated through Customs’ formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to public health, transparency and fairness.

     According to the image maker, “in response to the critical challenges of food security and the soaring costs of essential food items in Nigeria, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirms his commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda.”

    This commitment, Maiwada said, “is deeply rooted in the NCS’s core mandate of serving the best interests of the Nigerian people, thereby fostering economic stability and prosperity.

    In line with this vision, the service, he said, “has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation and public engagement in its commitment to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains. This urgent imperative fuels the need for a proactive stance to safeguard food availability within our nation and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens.

    Read Also: Food scarcity: Customs set to distribute rice, other food items

    To alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service, Maiwada said, “will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government.

     These items will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in our areas of operations.”

    The modalities for the disposal, the image maker said, “will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety. It is our pledge that this exercise will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need.

     The service, he said, remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians.

    With the unwavering support and cooperation of the public, Maiwada said: “We will surmount these challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous future for our beloved nation.”

  • More states unveil intervention plans to tackle food scarcity

    More states unveil intervention plans to tackle food scarcity

    • Katsina gov signs executive order, sets up task force
    • Sule: What Nasarawa is doing to address high cost of living
    • Again, PDP governors attack APC over economy, others

    As governments at all levels intensify efforts to halt the current food crisis, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has signed into law an executive order to check food scarcity and prohibit hoarding of food and other essential commodities in the state.

    His Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, said in Lafia yesterday that his recent interaction with marketers on food hoarding had started yielding results while the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council warned that indiscriminate bush burning in the state is harmful to food production.

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government to get going or quit.

    But the immediate past Labour Minister, Senator Simon Lalong, said Nigerians should give the policies of President Bola Tinubu a chance to mature for them to yield the desired results.

    The Katsina executive order which takes immediate effect, according to Information Commissioner Bala Zango, is a clear message from the government that it will not tolerate practices that threaten the well-being of the people.

    The executive order empowers government to break, with the aid of a court warrant, into any place suspected of being used for food hoarding and the commodity found therein sold to the public.

    Proceeds of such sale shall be subject of determination in accordance with the prevailing laws on proceeds of crime.

    A task force has been established to enforce the provisions of the order.

    Its functions include identifying food commodity hoarders in the state and interacting with stakeholders on food prices in the state.

    A task force has been established to enforce the provisions of the order.

    Its functions include identifying food commodity hoarders in the state and interacting with stakeholders on food prices in the state.

    Prior to the signing of the executive order, the governor Radda had convened an emergency meeting of the expanded security council to deliberate on the rising prices of food items.

    What my govt is doing to address high cost of living in Nasarawa – Sule

    Speaking at the fund raiser for the new Nasarawa central mosque complex in Nasarawa Local Government Area, Governor  Sule said following his  recent appeal to marketers in the state to shun hoarding of food, they have offered to sell over 21,000 bags of rice to government.

    Part of the rice, he said, would be distributed free of charge to the people and rest sold at a discount.

    He said government was also willing to buy millet and maize to be shared to people.

    He pleaded for patience by the people.

    He said:”We are aware of the prevailing challenges across the country. There is hunger occasioned by the high cost of food items as well as economic hardship.

    “Just like President Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to be patient, I’m also adding my voice by appealing to Nigerians to remain patient. Government is working hard to address these challenges.”

    Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, asked Muslims to continue to pray for leaders across the country for them to successfully discharge their responsibilities.

    The Sultan said it is better if the people pray for their leaders, especially at a time like this.

    His words: “If you pray for a leader and he is able to deliver good leadership, the citizens would benefit.

    “But if you leave the leaders alone and they are not able to deliver, it is the citizens that would suffer. “It’s therefore imperative that we continue to pray for our leaders for them to be able to discharge the responsibilities vested upon them by Allah.”

    He urged Muslims to use the coming Ramadan to redouble their prayers for the leaders and the country.

    Niger govt urges women to remain calm, patient

    The Niger Government appealed to women in the state to be calm and patient as it is doing everything possible to alleviate the current hardship and rising cost of living.

    Hajiya Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser to Gov. Umaru Bago on Social Investment Programme, made the appeal at a consolidated stakeholders’ engagement with the Kpagungu community in Minna.

    She said that the state government was concerned about the plight of citizens amidst high cost of commodities and would do everything possible to support them with a view to improving their standard of living.

    Responding, Aisha Jibrin and Fatima Aliyu, who led the protest on February 5 over the current food crisis, said the action  was not intended to cause crisis but to express their plight so that government could come to their rescue.

    We’ve reduced food prices – Kano traders

    Some traders at the Kano essential commodities market, popularly known as Singer market, say they resolved to reduce prices of food commodities.

    “The spaghetti that we sold at N11,500 or N11,700 in the market is now sold for N12,800 in companies. Sugar in the company is sold N72,000 but we sold it N70,000. Rice is sold at N65,700 now but we sold it at 57,000 to 60,000,” one of the market leaders said.

    Chairman of the marketers, Ibrahim Danyaro, told journalists about the price reduction shortly after a meeting with the Chairman of Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado.

    Danyaro said they currently sell food commodities at prices less than company prices. He also vowed to weed out those hoarding food stuffs in Kano markets.

    The decision by the traders followed the public outcry over the soaring prices of essential commodities and high cost of living in the country.

    The market leader also vowed to assist the commission to fish out bad eggs among who are hoarding goods and arbitrarily increasing their prices.

    Hamisu Rabi’u, another leader of the traders, assured the residents of maintaining the old prices of the stocks at hand against the high prices being experienced at various markets across the state.

    Delta traditional rulers warn against indiscriminate bush burning

    The Delta State Traditional Rulers Council condemned indiscriminate bush burning, describing it as a threat to food production.

    Rising from a meeting in Asaba, the first Vice Chairman of the Council and Pere of Akugbene Mien, S. P Luke Kalanama V111, decried the act and called for immediate action to stop the unwholesome trend which, if not checked might thwart the effort of government at achieving food security in the state.

    Indiscriminate bush burning, according to them, has not only caused the devastation of the ecosystem but also destroyed economic trees and food crops and in some cases razed residential buildings.

    The monarchs appealed to the state government to, as a matter of urgency, carry out an aggressive enlightenment and sensitization program on the dangers inherent in bush burning.

    FCCPC reopens sealed Sahad stores

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reopened the Abuja head office of Sahad Supermarket which was sealed for alleged customers extortion and lack of transparency in price fixing.

    The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that the reopening followed a mutual understanding and commitment from the store to implement transparent pricing practices.

    He said the Commission was aware that similar practices might be happening at other Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) outlets nationwide.

    Abdullahi advised supermarkets or outlets engaging in customers’ extortion to desist from such practices immediately to avoid consequences.

    ”Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times,” he said.

    He added:”The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights.

    ”The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices.

    ”Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors.

    ”The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment,” the acting executive vice chairman said.

    The commission had on Friday sealed the supermarket for customers’ extortion and lack of transparency in prices.

    PDP govs offer to help in resolving food crisis, others

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday offered to collaborate with President Tinubu in finding a lasting solutions to “a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015.”

    The governors said the APC-led federal government should quit the stage if it cannot mobilize Nigerians as well as all organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions to the various problems plaguing the nation.

    The Governors, under the aegis of the PDP Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, specifically noted that the hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians have no tribal, religious, or party coloration, stressing that “a hungry man is an angry man.”

    Read Also: Food scarcity: Pressure on states to rev up interventions

    “The buck ultimately stops at the President’s table as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Chief Salesman, and leader of Nigeria,” said the PDP-GF in a statement issued by its Director-General, Hon CID Maduabum in Abuja during the weekend.

     They frowned at the Minister of Information, APC Governors’ Forum, and other officials of the APC-led Federal Government who criticized the PDP-GF for their suggestions, advice, and patriotic intervention on the way forward for the country in a communique issued at the end of their recent meeting in Abuja.

    “The APC sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria; not to compound them or shift blame, or grandstand or use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues,” the PDP-GF said.

    “PDP governed States are comparatively the best in Nigeria in terms of developmental policies, programmes, and projects that benefit their states positively, regular payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and minimum wage to their workforce.”

     The PDP governors urged for urgent steps to avoid a situation similar to Venezuela in Nigeria and commended President for convening a special meeting on 15th February 2024 to discuss these issues between the Federal and State Governments.

     The PDP Governors’ Forum advice and suggestions come as part of a series of discussions held by the PDP Governors during their meeting on 12th February 2024, under the leadership of Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State during which they advised the Federal Government to, among others, mobilize state and local governments towards the creation of state police that avoids abuse and overreach by any tier of government.

    Give Tinubu’s policies time to mature –Lalong

     Immediate past Minister of Labour, Senator Simon Lalong yesterday asked Nigerians to give the policies of President Bola Tinubu a chance to mature and yield the desired results.

    Lalong told former speakers of Houses of Assembly meeting in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, that Nigeria needs their experiences to wade through the prevailing crisis.

    Lalong spoke during the opening of a meeting of Conference of Former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria of which he is the chairman.

    “Let all of us and all Nigerians support our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has continued to pursue the path of renewing the hope of the nation,” Lalong, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assemnly between 2000 and 2007, said.

    Lalong, who currently represents Plateau North zone in the Senate, added, “No doubt some of the programmes, like the removal of petrol subsidy, have impacted on the lives of the people. However, we need to give these policies some time to mature so that we can benefit from the gains they bring.”

     In his own address, the host governor of the ex-speakers’ meeting, Ahmadu Fintiri, said the most important takeaway from the role of speaker is a cutting edge capacity for leadership after their experiences as speakers.

    Fintiri, who was himself a former speaker in Adamawa State, added: “No one passes through this hatchery and come out with empty brain. We must appreciate this privilege and continue to avail our leadership experiences and skills to Nigeria.”

    According to Fintiri, “If there is any time that Nigeria needs ex-speakers’ leadership acumen, experiences and unity of purpose, to mitigate its towering challenges of survival, “the hour is now.”