By Ken Afor
The Nigerian Federal Government, in its emergency response to the current food crisis in the country, has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release approximately 42,000 metric tonnes of grain, including maize, millet, and garri.
This directive was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention in Abuja.
According to the minister, the Federal Government has also instructed the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RMAS) to release over 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to various markets without delay.
These directives aim to alleviate the impact of the increasing food prices in the markets. The minister expressed optimism that these measures would effectively address the current challenge in the coming weeks and months.
He said, “These will be made available and we know that that is enough to take Nigeria in the next couple of weeks. One month, six weeks, perhaps up to two months.
“Now the whole idea of this is to crush the cost of these food items. And these are measures that will happen immediately.
While implementing measures to release locally produced food items, the government is also taking further steps to import basic commodities for affordability and availability to the Nigerian public.
In achieving its short- and mid-term goals towards food security, the government has pledged to invest massively in the farming process, from cultivation to harvesting and transportation of locally produced food items across the country.
While identifying hoarding of some food items as a factor contributing to the crisis, the federal government has appealed to those who are keeping the commodities to ensure they are released to the markets for purchase.
According to the minister, the government would be compelled to ensure that the commodities are taken to the market for easy access.
“Now, the third item is that government is also looking at the possibility of, if it becomes absolutely necessary and as an interim measure, to also import some of these commodities immediately so that these commodities can be made available to Nigerians,” he said.
“Government of course is also looking at all those who are hoarding these commodities, because actually, these commodities are available in the stores of many traders.
“Government is appealing to them that they should open up these doors and make these commodities available in the interest of our nation.
“There is no point when the whole country is looking for this food you are locking up these products where you make more money and then Nigerians suffer. Of course, government will not fold its arms.
“If they don’t respond by bringing these commodities to the market, government will take appropriate measures to ensure that these products are made available to Nigerians.”
While the country is in an emergency situation, the minister appealed to Nigerians to be more patriotic and ensure that food prices are not unnecessarily hiked.
“We ask that Nigerians need to be more patriotic; be our brother’s keepers. Sell this thing, of course at a margin but at a margin that is not also killing to Nigerians.
“This is an emergency situation. Every nation faces emergency situations. This is our own time to face this challenges.
“The President has directed that whatever it will take, food will be available to Nigerians at a cost that is also very reasonable,” he said.
