The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Rep. Bello Kaoje, has said despite various efforts by the federal government to address the food crisis in the country, rising prices are making it hard for average Nigerians to afford food.
He made the assertions in a statement on Wednesday to celebrate the ‘2024 World Food Day.
Rep. Kaoje said the theme for this year’s celebration ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and Better Future’ called for concern for both the government and Nigerians.
The lawmaker said, “This is because many Nigerians have no right to a balanced diet and a better life due to the high cost of food items (high inflation rate of 2 digits) the highest in the world and many can no longer afford food, as a right.
“Although the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put measures in place to address the food crisis situation of hunger and starvation as it is becoming worse every day, even as food prices are no longer within the reach of average Nigerians.
“The government measures which include 150 days duty free import window on food commodity, suspension of duties, tariff and taxes, for importation of certain food commodities through land border like maize, brown rice, wheat and cowpea, importation of 2,500 metric tons of maize and wheat and the engagement of relevant stakeholders to set up growth means production and purchase surplus to small holder farmers food reserves.
“Other efforts by the federal government including ramp-up of production for 2024/2025 farming cycle, renewed hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee and enactment of nutritional security, have not yet yielded the desired result.”
He however assured that the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services will under his leadership and the support of the leadership of the 10th House of Representatives as well as all other members, will do everything to assist in helping Nigeria to achieve food security because it is a fact that, hunger is one of the problems facing the country.
He said the committee aligns itself and joins the rest of the world to commemorate the annual event on October 16th which is the day set aside to double efforts towards eradicating hunger across the world.
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