…urge FG to improve short-term food subsidies to dry season farmers
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of its efforts to tackle the dangers of food scarcity across the country, the House of Representatives has resolved to organise a National Summit on Food Security and Nutrition.
In the bid to address the challenge, the House also tasked the Federal Government to improve on short-term food subsidies, assistance to farmers, especially those engaged in dry season farming, improved supply chain control to reduce wastage, and short-term price control.
This resolve was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgen national importance on “Food scarcity in Nigeria, Nutritional dangers and urgent need for more Government remedial measures to address food shortages ahead of the rainy/farming season”, by Rep. Chike Okafor, on Wednesday at plenary.
Leading the debate, Rep. Okafor decried that the spreading issue of food scarcity in Nigeria and the impending nutritional dangers that accompany it, calls for urgent action towards proffering lasting solution to the challenges.
The motion reads: “As we approach the farming season, it is imperative that we take immediate action to avert a worsening crisis and ensure the availability of food and well-being of our citizens.
“The House is aware that the current state of food scarcity in Nigeria poses a grave threat to the health and livelihoods of millions of our people. Insufficient access to nutritious food not only leads to hunger and malnutrition but also exacerbates existing health conditions and undermines the overall development of our nation.
“The House is also aware about the various positive interventions by Mr. President, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and the commitment of Mr. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas in the 10th National Assembly Legislative agenda for wellness and wellbeing of Nigerians, it is worthy to note that the Rainy and farming season is fast approaching, and the looming specter of food shortages looms large.
“Without adequate remedial measures in place, we risk plunging our country into deeper turmoil, with far-reaching social, economic, and political implications, hence the need for a purposeful gathering and more government import waivers for farming and agricultural equipment in Nigeria.
“The House is worried that Nutrition and Food is the most important existential challenge in Nigeria today, because 24.9 million Nigerians are presently in an acute/critical stage of hunger, and this is considered to be an emergency, while 85.8 million Nigerians have insufficient food consumption and out of this number, 47.7 million Nigerians have a crisis or above crisis level in terms of food-based survival margin.
“The House is also worried that peaceful protests is taking place now in some states with citizens groaning due to hunger and demanding immediate government intervention.
“The House is cognizant that the government needs to increase resources to support smallholder farmers and agrarian communities, ensuring they have the necessary inputs, tools, and infrastructure to enhance food production through short-term subsidies as the Government continues to strengthen the existing food distribution networks and mechanisms to ensure equitable access to essential food items across all regions of the country”.
The House also mandated its Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in conjunction with House Committee on Agriculture Production and Service and Committee on Agriculture College and Institutions to urgently organise National Food Security and Nutrition Summit with a view to address the current shortage of food and nutrition dangers with a view of finding lasting solution to the food crises facing the country.
The House also directed all relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations, and private sector partners to actively participate in the summit and contribute towards the formulation of comprehensive solutions to ensure more Legislative input for Food security and Nutrition for all Nigerians.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Nutrition and Food Security and other relevant Committees to ensure compliance and report back to the House within three legislative weeks.