As governments strive to address the ongoing food crisis, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has enacted an executive order to combat food scarcity and prevent the hoarding of essential commodities within the state. In a similar effort, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule reported positive outcomes from his discussions with marketers regarding food hoarding, while the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council cautioned against indiscriminate bush burning’s adverse effects on food production.
Governors aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to take decisive action. However, former Labour Minister Senator Simon Lalong suggested giving President Bola Tinubu’s policies time to mature for effective results.
The Katsina executive order, effective immediately, signals the government’s commitment to combat practices jeopardizing public well-being. Empowering the government to intervene with a court warrant, the order allows for the sale of confiscated hoarded commodities to the public, with proceeds subject to legal determination. A task force has been established to enforce the order, identifying hoarders and engaging with stakeholders on food prices.
Before signing the executive order, Governor Radda convened an emergency meeting of the expanded security council to address rising food prices. Governor Sule of Nasarawa State reported progress in persuading marketers to sell over 21,000 bags of rice to the government, some to be distributed freely and the rest at a discounted rate. He urged patience, acknowledging the challenges posed by high food costs and economic hardship.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, emphasized the importance of praying for leaders during challenging times, while the Niger Government reassured citizens of its efforts to alleviate hardships and rising living costs. Special Adviser Hajiya Hauwa Bako urged calm among women in the state, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving citizens’ standards of living.
In Kano, traders at the essential commodities market, known as Singer market, announced a reduction in food commodity prices in response to public concerns. Market leaders highlighted the price adjustments, pledging cooperation with the Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission to identify and eliminate hoarding practices in the markets. The decision to lower prices comes amidst widespread outcry over escalating commodity prices and the overall cost of living in the country.
