By George George Idowu
President Bola Tinubu has firmly opposed the federal government’s proposal to tackle the escalating prices of food items through importation and price controls.
In a statement released by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, he emphasized his stance during a meeting with state governors, the Vice President, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and some ministers at the State House on Thursday.
He emphasized the need for self-sufficiency in food production, expressing concerns that importation could lead to corruption and mismanagement.
The president urged support for farmers and emphasized the importance of livestock development initiatives.
He said: ”What I will not do is to set a price control board. I will not also approve the importation of food. We should be able to get ourselves out of the situation we found ourselves in, because importation will allow rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense.
“We would rather support farmers with the schemes that will make them go to the farm and grow more food for everyone in the country.
”We must also look at the rapid but thoughtful implementation of our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others,” he added.
Additionally, he called for rigorous investigations into food hoarding and stern actions against violators, stating that such practices undermine efforts to ensure food availability and affordability.
He said: ”From Kano, we have read reports about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses. The National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services should coordinate very closely and ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses with follow up action.
”We must ensure that speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers are not allowed to sabotage our efforts in ensuring the wide availability of food to all Nigerians.”
This decision comes in contrast to previous reports suggesting government considerations for food importation and the inauguration of a commodity board to regulate food prices.