The Federal Government has declared that in an effort to lower the high cost of food in Nigeria, food items that are imported into the nation within the next 150 days will be subject to recommended retail prices.
This occurred on the same day that Senator Ali Ndume, a lawmaker from Borno South Senatorial District, claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s inaccessibility to lawmakers and even cabinet ministers was exacerbating the nation’s food crisis.
Remember that the government halted import taxes and duties on food products, including wheat and rice, a few days ago?
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who disclosed this on his X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, said having suspended duties and taxes on food items, the Federal Government will take a step further to subject items to be imported to what he described as the recommended retail price.
He also assured that the prices of food items in the country will crash in the next 180 days, and pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the government.
The minister declared: “Our administration has unveiled a number of strategic measures intended to address the high cost of food that is currently plaguing our country. Over the course of the next 180 days, these actions will be taken, including a 150-day window during which food commodities may be imported duty-free.
The suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of specific food items across land and maritime borders is another aspect of it. These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.
“Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price, RRP. We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition.
‘’The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.
“The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.’’
The minister stated further: “There will also be engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to re-stock the National Strategic Food Reserve; Ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle
“Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives; strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide.’’
The minister also explained that over the next 14 days, the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, PFSCU, and the Economic Management Team, EMT, will, in collaboration, meet with respective agencies to finalize implementation frameworks for the new policy of making food cheaply available for Nigerians.
“We will guarantee that data is accessible to the general public in order to enable the involvement of all pertinent stakeholders throughout the nation,” he continued.
