President Tinubu dismisses VP’s proposed food plans
Contrary to what the Vice President of Nigeria Kashim Shettima had said on Tuesday about planning to set up a committee in charge of controlling the soaring food prices, the President of the country, Bola Tinubu declared on Thursday that he wouldn’t set up a pricing control board. He also noted that he would not approve food imports as measures to alleviate the country’s economic difficulties. His plan entails homemade solutions to Nigeria’s current food problems.
The Cable newspaper, which published the original report, also disclaimed that Nigeria’s president made it clear his administration is committed to developing homegrown solutions to address the country’s food security concerns. He noted that his plans to tackle the nation’s food insecurity include introducing initiatives to increase local food production and mitigate all types of rent-seeking associated with food imports.
According to the publication, Tinubu made this known on Thursday at State House in Abuja, following a meeting with governors from the country’s 36 states.
“I reiterated this commitment during my emergency meeting today at the State House, with all 36 state governors, the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and some ministers,” the president stated.
The president also noted that the importation of food “enables rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement” which affects Nigerians. His point revolved around the idea that Nigerian farmers can feed the population.
He asserted that he had instructed security forces to “inspect” stores where food is being hoarded.
“I will not establish a price control board, nor will I approve the importation of food. We must extricate ourselves from this predicament because importation only enables rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense,” Tinubu said
“Instead, we will support our farmers with schemes that encourage them to cultivate more food for the nation. We must also rapidly but thoughtfully implement our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others,” he added.
