President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to take urgent measures to reduce food prices nationwide, with a particular focus on ensuring the safe and unhindered movement of farm produce across transport routes.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a one-day capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
“In addressing the high cost of transporting farm produce, I can say on good authority that the President has issued a marching order. A federal executive council committee is already working on how to guarantee safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across routes in the country,” Abdullahi said.
He noted that transportation remains a major driver of food inflation. “If you know the amount of money being spent moving commodities before they reach markets, you will understand why they are expensive at the point of delivery,” he explained.
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The minister said Tinubu’s directive aligns with his broader food sovereignty agenda, which extends beyond food sufficiency to include availability, accessibility, affordability, nutrition, and sustainability.
Abdullahi also highlighted upcoming initiatives to boost productivity, including the launch of the Farmer Soil Health Scheme and a cooperative reform and revamp programme aimed at mobilising resources and strengthening grassroots economic activity.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for economic activity generation and improving members’ livelihoods,” he added.
The workshop, themed “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities”, also featured Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senator Ita Solomon Enang, and Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
