How Governor Bago is Addressing Food Inflation in Niger State
By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo
Nigeria is currently witnessing an unprecedented inflation, which is hiking the prices of every commodity in the market. I was at the Tunga market in Minna recently and I found out that the prices of everything had increased beyond 100 percent. A mudu of rice that was sold four 900 rose to 2,200.
It is imperative to say that a responsible government would always be on the lookout to arrest the situation. After all a poor man needs nothing than affordable prices of food items. Let me remember a song by late Fuji Maestro, Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister , “once a poverty is devoid of hunger, then it becomes lesser”.
Meaning if someone is battling with poverty but if he or she is having food to eat regularly then his worry becomes lesser.A country where there is hunger will hardly attain reasonable level of peace.To the best of my knowledge, I have never experienced this since I have become an adult.
The Farmer Governor of Niger State understands the implication of hunger and inflation so he quickly ordered that no food or grains should be moved out of Minna in trailers.He said any trailer that is intercepted, the food should be confiscated and shared to the public.I can reliably confirm that the directive is already yielding good results.
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I got the information since yesterday that the price of local rice that was being sold for 2,200 is now 1,600 naira.I was not convinced enough so i had to go to market today 15 February,2024 to confirm it myself.Honestly,It is a reality.
One important thing about his Excellency’s directive in Niger State is that, the security agents are in compliance with the instruction to the fullest.So one may say is not unconnected with the tenacity of the Governor to ameliorate the suffering of Niger state residents.
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has also made similar move to unravel the mystery behind those hoarding food in Kano. The NTA News Extra reports on 14th February uncovered that the prices of grains in Dawanu market had dropped significantly. It shows that the steps taken by the Governor is also yielding positive results and impacts.
Furthermore,just yesterday, the Sokoto State House of Assembly had passed a resolution urging the state Government to ban the exportation of food items to neighboring countries in order to curb food inflation. Governors must complement the efforts of the federal government by beginning to think out of the box.
Distribution of grains to citizens is just a temporary measure but permanent economic solution that would crash the prices of grains and other food items should be embrace holistically. Niger State and Kano state are already taking the lead to proffer solutions to food price inflation.
May Nigeria succeed.
