ABUJA — The Federal Government has stated that food items to be imported into the country in the next 150 days will be subject to the recommended retail price to reduce the high cost of food in Nigeria.
This announcement coincided with the remarks made by the lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Senator Ali Ndume, who claimed that the food crisis in the country was exacerbated by the unavailability of President Bola Tinubu for advice from lawmakers and cabinet ministers.
Recently, the government suspended import duties and taxes on food items, including rice and wheat, among others.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, revealed this on his X (formerly Twitter) account yesterday. He mentioned that with the suspension of duties and taxes on food items, the Federal Government will go a step further by subjecting imported items to what he described as the recommended retail price.
He also reassured that the prices of food items in the country will decrease in the next 180 days and urged Nigerians to be patient with the government.
The minister said: “Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days, including 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities
“It also includes suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders. These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.
“Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price, RRP. We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition.
‘’The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.
“The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.’’
The minister stated further: “There will also be engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to re-stock the National Strategic Food Reserve; Ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle
“Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives; strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide.’’
The minister further clarified that within the next two weeks, the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT) will work together to meet with relevant agencies and finalize the implementation plans for the new policy aimed at ensuring affordable food for Nigerians.
‘’We will ensure that information is publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country,’’ he added.
We can’t see President to advise him on food crisis —Ndume
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, voiced concerns during a BBC Hausa Service interview about the challenge facing members of the National Assembly.
He highlighted the government’s closed-door policy, which reportedly restricts access to the President for both members of Tinubu’s cabinet and lawmakers seeking to address issues affecting their constituencies, such as the food crisis.
Furthermore, Senator Ndume cautioned that failure to address the prevalent hunger in the country could lead to widespread malnutrition in Nigeria, citing its impact on children in the North-West region.
The lawmaker, who noted that a UN report had warned that 82 million Nigerians would find themselves hungry without food in the next five years, said:
“We are afraid that one day, a person may go to the market with money and be confronted with a situation where there won’t be food to buy.
“If hunger persists, it’s the children that suffer most, the children lack food for healthy growth. This is a situation you find in places where there is war or famine.
“We’ve seen how it happened in Niger and South Sudan where children have died. Now the situation is rearing its ugly head in Nigeria.”
He expressed worry that the previous government had food banks for emergency needs but lamented that such food banks are no more.
“This is a matter of serious concern and something should be done quickly about it,’’ Senator Ndume said.
When asked why he couldn’t meet the President and talk to him over such matters privately instead of talking to the media, he alleged that it was extremely difficult now as “even some ministers cannot see the President.”
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