In an effort to mitigate the ongoing food crisis in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced the dispatch of 60 trucks of fertilizer to each state across the country. Additionally, each senator will receive two trucks of fertilizer for their constituents, while House of Representatives members will get one truck each.
The Senate discussed this plan on Tuesday during a plenary session focused on the food crisis. They urged the Federal Government to expedite the fertilizer distribution process. The discussion followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West, co-sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South.
Karimi highlighted the urgent need to tackle food insecurity and market exploitation, noting a sharp rise in the price of essential goods and household consumables. According to recent data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation has soared to 40.66% year-on-year, up from 24.82% in May 2023.
The senator pointed out that despite possible contributing factors like insecurity, bad roads, and fuel subsidy removal, these factors do not fully account for the steep price increases of 100-300% in food items. He emphasized the necessity of pragmatic measures to address food insecurity, such as resolving herder-farmer conflicts, curbing kidnapping and terrorism, and developing a National Commodity Board to regulate grain prices and eliminate artificial inflation.
Senator Ndume expressed concern over Nigeria being listed among countries facing severe food insecurity for the first time, as highlighted by the International Rescue Committee and the World Food Programme. He warned of a looming hunger crisis affecting over 32 million people in Nigeria.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan echoed these concerns, noting that the patience of Nigerians is wearing thin. He stressed the urgent need for government action to ensure food availability and suggested that reducing or removing taxes on imported food might be necessary.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed the Federal Government’s plan to distribute 60 trucks of fertilizer to each state and additional allocations to senators and representatives.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the importance of monitoring the fertilizer distribution to ensure it reaches the intended recipients. He attributed the current food crisis to insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, which have disrupted farming activities.
The Senate collectively urged the Federal Government to address the food crisis with immediate and effective measures.
