By George George Idowu
As food commodities continues to grow on a geometric progression in the country, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite has expressed her concerns towards the ugly trend while also stating that the federal government will look into the hike of food commodities as a matter of urgency.
The minister made this commitment on Thursday when she visited Kano in order to ascertain the cause of hike in food commodities and also see the possible way federal government can help in rescuing it.
Uzoka-Anita, who interacted with stakeholders, explained the plans of the present administration to enhance job creation and enhance the value of commodities to meet export standards.
“We have come here to look at the market and see why food prices have gone up because we have gotten reports of the increase in prices in the market. And also to collaborate with marketers and traders and how we can ensure that there is adequate food provision.
“They are very instrumental and key to our food security agenda. It is also very important and key to the products for export, which is very important to my ministry in terms of growing export, and finished products.
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“The president has also charged us to ensure that exports of raw materials are improved through the export of value-added products. As most of our commodities are rejected we want to find out how we can improve them to standard.
“We are here on a stakeholder engagement to find out how we can come in, to see how we can increase the amount of export to foreign countries” she stated.
Furthermore, the Minister announced the plan of the Federal Government to train at least 10 million people in various artisan skills and get them certified as professionals.
Also speaking, the Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Shehu Wada Sagagi, called on the Federal Government to resolve the numerous problems surrounding food production.
He further expressed his dissatisfaction on the tedious processes of getting registered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as Standard Organization of Nigeria insisting that it is costing the investors a lot.
The Minister also visited Gerawa Oil Mills Limited and the Dala Inland Dry Port Nigeria Limited where she interacted with the private sector.
