Tinubu working to crash food prices with safe passage of farm produce, says minister

Aliyu Abdullahi, minister of state for agriculture and food security, says President Bola Tinubu has directed a committee of the federal executive council (FEC) to work on measures that will further reduce food prices in the country.

Abdullahi, a former senate deputy chief whip, spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at a capacity-building workshop for journalists covering the red chamber.

He said the directive would ensure the safe passage of agricultural commodities across various routes in the country, noting that the move is part of Tinubu’s vision of achieving food security.

“In addressing the high price of transportation of farm produce in the country, I can say on good authority to you that the president has given a marching order with a federal executive council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said.

“We are aware, and I’m sure as media, you are also aware, there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered.

“If you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery.

“So, we are working very hard. We are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that.”

The minister added that the government’s food sovereignty vision includes food security and sufficiency by ensuring availability, accessibility, affordability, and proper nutritional content on a sustainable basis.

He also said other initiatives, such as the farmer soil health scheme and cooperative reforms, were being finalised.

“We are having what you call the farmer soil health scheme. And that is ready for launch. We are just waiting for the date,” Abdullahi said.

“Another important part I would like you to take notice of very seriously is we are promoting what you call cooperative reform and a revamped programme.

“Mr President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members.

“And you know the principle of cooperation is clear and democratic, yet it is also very productive. And so we are reforming this. There are a number of things we are doing there. And I will urge you, as a press corps, to consider forming a cooperative.”

Other speakers at the workshop themed “Parliamentary reporting: Issues, challenges and responsibilities” were Yemi Adaramodu, chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs; Ita Enang, senator; and Abubakar Sulaiman, director-general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).