Rising Cost Of Living: FG Orders Immediate Release Of 102,000 Metric Tonnes Of Rice, Maize, Others

•   May Resort To Importation Of Food Items To Address Hardship

The federal government has ordered the release of 102,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize to Nigerians to address the food crisis in the country, coupled with the inflationary trend.

The government has also disclosed that it may embark on the importation of whatever shortfalls may be experienced to augment the demands of Nigerians.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, made this known while fielding questions from State House reporters shortly after the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Food Emergency, which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

He said the President has directed that “food will be made available, whatever it takes.”

Idris said: “The first one is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been directed to release about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities in their strategic reserve so that these items will be made available to Nigerians; 42,000 metric tons immediately.

“The second one is that we have held meetings with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria. Those who are responsible for producing this rice and we have asked them to open up their stores.

“They’ve told us that they can guarantee about 60,000 metric tons of rice. This will be made available and we know that that is enough to take Nigerians the next one month to six weeks, perhaps up to two months.

“Now, the third item is that the government is also looking at the possibility, if it becomes absolutely necessary, as an interim measure in the short run to also import some of these commodities.”

The decision came after a series of deliberations by the committee, in reaction to the protests by Nigerians over the high cost of food and other economic challenges.