The federal government has assured that it would enhance affordability of food prices across country.
In line with this, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has constituted a Presidential Task Force to urgently consider measures that would ensure a steady flow of produce to the market and reverse recent price increases.
At the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, expressed concern at some of the inflationary rates of food prices, noting that the Task Force would explore options to promote availability and affordability of food items to Nigerians.
According to him, the Task Force, which has seven days from today to report back to the Council will consider how to remove some of the cost-raising factors that come into play between the farms and the markets and therefore “bring relief to our people.”
While there have been reports of bumper harvests in parts of the country, the prices of food stuff still end up high, while some of the produce even end up wasted due to a number of reasons preventing effective transportation delivery to the markets.
One of the focus areas of the Task Force, the Acting President noted, would be to review the transportation and preservation processes, and see how government can intervene in those aspects to bring down food prices.
The Task Force, which would be meeting with the Acting President in the discharge of its urgent assignment, will therefore draw out a practical plan and present same to the Council next week.
Members of the Task Force include the following: Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh;Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Industry, Trade & Development, Okey Enelamah;Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister for Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu and
Minister of Labour & Employment, Chris Ngige.
Minister of Labour & Employment, Chris Ngige.
The offices of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, would also be on the committee.
