The acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Dr Adamu Ahmed-Abdullahi made the plea at an interactive session with traders at Dawanau and Galadima Markets in Kano State. Nigeria has been plagued by an uncontrolled and persistent hike in the prices of food commodities and other household items.
The surge yet to be curtailed, has been attributed to insecurity, forex shortage, transportation, and removal of fuel subsidies among others.
BUSHLINK in May 2024, reported that the food inflation rose to 40.66 per cent with the country’s headline inflation rate at 33.95 per cent in May 2024.
Speaking with traders, Abdullahi said, “The hike in food prices has been a major worry to the present administration of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu and the government is making efforts to ensure things get better for Nigerians.”
He assured that his Commission had got enough facts to adequately advise the government on the way forward. He said, “After our interactions with traders, we have been able to gather some facts that will guide the commission in advising the Federal Government, in line with Section 17(b) of the FCCPC Act.
“The commission’s concern is to tackle issues affecting consumers, especially prices of commodities to ensure fair market practices.”
Responding, the Chairman of the Rice Dealers Association, Dawanau Market in the state Alhaji Abdulkadir Umar attributed the price hike to the financial and security implications of sourcing paddy rice from villages to rice mills.
He further urged the government to invest more in farming, especially by providing enough fertiliser and other inputs, as well as ensuring adequate provision of security to farmers.
