President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release approximately 42,000 metric tonnes of grains, including maize, millet, and garri.
Concurrently, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria has committed to releasing over 60,000 metric tonnes of rice immediately to the public.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed these actions following the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
He emphasized that these measures are aimed at alleviating the hardships caused by the escalating food prices faced by Nigerians.
Idris stated, “These will be made available, and we know that that is enough to sustain Nigeria for 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.
“Now, the third item is that government is also looking at the possibility, 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.”
Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security plans to invest significantly in farming processes to enhance production and fully exploit the country’s food potential. Idris urged individuals or groups hoarding these products to prioritize the nation’s interest over excessive profit.
The Minister warned, “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.”
The Minister said that government would also take measures to ensure that food continue to be accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
“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 these 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.
| Vanguard
