In a bid to address the growing concern over food insecurity in Nigeria, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to introduce a food stamps program as an interim measure to alleviate the effects of hunger in the country.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume and co-sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha, received overwhelming support from the majority of the Senate.
The food stamps program, which has been used in countries like the United States since 1933, is a government-issued coupon that is given to low-income and non-income individuals and can be redeemed for food.
The Senate believes that implementing this program in Nigeria would provide immediate food support to those in need and help to address the projected 26.5 million people who will be grappling with high levels of food insecurity in 2024.
Several factors have contributed to the increase in food insecurity, including ongoing conflicts across the country, climate change impacts, escalating inflation, and the rising costs of both food and essential non-food commodities.
As a result, many hungry and angry Nigerians have been demonstrating on the streets in several cities across the country.
During the Senate debate, Senators emphasized the importance of identifying vulnerable people in their constituencies and ensuring that only those who need the food stamps receive them.
They also stressed the need for the executive to implement the program effectively, with proper structures in place to distribute the food stamps.
Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, commended Senator Ndume for bringing this important motion to the Senate’s attention.
The Senate as a whole is committed to addressing issues that will benefit all Nigerians and believes that the food stamps program will help to alleviate the suffering of those affected by rising hunger and food insecurity.