Ramatu Garba, Kano
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has advised Nigerians to exercise patience over the increase in food prices across the nation.
The commission said that the Federal Government is making appropriate efforts to address the problem.
The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr Adamu Ahmed-Abdullahi, gave the assurance during an interactive session with traders at Dawanau and Galadima Markets in Kano.
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He said the visit to the markets was to interact with traders to ascertain factors responsible for the continuous hike in food prices.
He added that “the hike in food prices has been a major worry to the present administration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and government is making efforts to ensure things get better for Nigerians.
“After our interactions with traders, we have been able to gather some facts that will guide the commission in advising Federal Government, in line with Section 17(b) of the FCCPC Act.
“The commission’s concern is to tackle issues affecting consumers, especially prices of commodities to ensure fair market practices.”
On their parts, some market union leaders and consumers attributed the continuous hike in food commodities to cost of transportation and insecurity.
Malam Abdullahi Kasarkabasu, the Chairman of Yam Sellers in Galadima Market, Kano, said the high cost of diesel resulted to rise in transportation, which affected yam price and other food items.
He also blamed the activities of cattle rustlers and insecurity, which discourages farming activities as other factors fuelling hike in food prices.
Alhaji Abdulkadir Umar, the Chairman, Rice Dealers Association, Dawanau Market in Kano, said paddy rice source from villages to rice mills now cost more due to the problem of insecurity.
He said that the hike in the cost of procurement and processing of rice resulted to low patronage as a `mudu’ (measurement plate) of rice is now sold for between N3,900 and N4,200, which is getting expensive for most consumers.
He urged government to invest more in farming, especially by providing enough fertilizer and other inputs, as well as ensure adequate provision of security to farmers.
A consumer, Mrs Justina Ogedo, appealed to government to act fast to save Nigerians from hunger, saying that “most consumers can no longer afford a tuber of yam due to the high price.
“Before now, a tuber of yam was sold for between N500 and N800, but now, it is as high as N4,000 and because of the situation, we now eat twice daily.”
Another consumer, Tunji Oyedotun, called on government to come up with fixed prices of commodities to control food prices in the country.
“Things are becoming unbearable, government should urgently take action to save the lives of ordinary Nigerians,’’ Oyedotun appealed.
(NAN)
