OPINION

OPINION

By: Yahaya Abdulrahman

HIGH COST  OF FOOD COMMODITY IN NIGERIA, WHAT WE MUST DO

It is an open secret that cost of food commodity in Nigeria has been on the rise, reaching to unbearable degree in recent time. Owing to this painful reality, Nigerians in their numbers have expressed their pains, with women coming out to protest in Minna, Niger State.

HIGH COST  OF FOOD COMMODITY IN NIGERIA, WHAT WE MUST DO

It is an open secret that cost of food commodity in Nigeria has been on the rise, reaching to unbearable degree in recent time. Owing to this painful reality, Nigerians in their numbers have expressed their pains, with women coming out to protest in Minna, Niger State. 

Worth noting is President Ahmed Bola Tinubu's prompt intervention shortly after the protest in Minna where he directed the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention to hold emergency meeting with a mandate to proffer solution to the lingering food insecurity in the country. 

The Committee, having met with Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso, Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman and others on Tuesday at the Villa, deliberated over the matter with Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammad Idris stating, on their behalf  that "government needs to step in to stem the tide". 

Given untold hardship following arising from alarming cost of food commodity, it has become practically necessary that government intervenes. But unlocking foods available in storage facilities (National Food Reserves) for distribution to citizens, which the Minister alluded to, as part of steps to be taken cannot solve the problem. Distribution of palliative in the form of food has in the past provided little, not lasting or even no solution. It is either sizable part of the food items approved by government end up diverted to unknown destinations, or the beneficiaries are selected by those saddled with the task of distribution, consequently leaving target beneficiaries with too little or nothing, making government intention counterproductive. 

Notable problems, especially ones that have lingered on for so long, ones with so much sensitivity as food, require practical solutions spread across. Insecurity in many parts of the country has played major role at sustaining food insecurity in Nigeria. Rural settlements in the Northwest, Northeast, some parts of Northcentral, and now extending to the Southwest, has denied farmers' access to their farmland. Since large quantity of the food we consume come from these areas, it is expected that ceaseless security situation in the said areas and indeed elsewhere would bring about food shortage. Bandits have continued to terrorize these places, kidnapping for ransom, raping women and killing farmers at will. Beyond distribution of palliative, measures most be put in place to secure the country from criminal bandits, if we are serious about ensuring food availability and affordability. 

Another factor working against food security in the country is subsidy removal on petroleum products and floating of the Naira. This singular decision has caused rapid rise in transportation cost, and corresponding increase in essential commodities, including food. Central Bank, in conjunction with key Ministries have to look deeply inward to review some policies that have worsen condition of living for the common man. Support provided to farmers, small and medium scale enterprises has to be scaled-up, while ensuring that only the right persons are offered incentives to this effect. 

Nigerians across board, particularly the youth must come face-to-face with stark reality. It is no longer business as usual. The world is fast evolving. Everyone must be productive. Until citizens shun idleness and crime, resolve to become innovative, redirect their energy towards technological advancement and other opportunities available to them, we may witness worse situation going forward. Government and Corporate Organizations at their ends, have to patronize locally made products. By doing so, we would be encouraging local production, create more jobs and make food security imminent.