Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has vowed to resist any attempt or threats by business operators to close the market over the unstable prize of commodities.
Besides, the commission warned dealers hoarding food items in the city to desist from the act that is capable of worsening the difficult food inflation or risk the consequences.
The anti-graft warning came barely 24 hours after Singer Market Traders Association, one of the largest sections of Kano business hub threatened to shut down the entire section of the market.
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The market union who lamented undue pressure on its members from the government and the public over the hyper cost of food items and provisions, said they would rather prefer to keep their goods deposited in stores.
Reacting to the development, however, Chairman of the anti-corruption Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado reminded that the business community has no authority to needlessly embark on action that could trigger more hunger and frustration in the state.
Barrister Rimin-Gado declared that the government has the responsibility to ensure law and order in the society, adding that the commission will not hesitate to break any odd that will inflict more hardship on the masses.
The Chairman equally hinted that an intelligent mechanism is being activated to unveil the nefarious act of sabotage in the market especially those elements creating artificial scarcity through hoarding food items in the state.
He said the commission is embarking on general inspection to clam down on warehouses where essential food items are hoarded adding that those behind the hoarding would be arrested and prosecuted. He urged members of the public to furnish the commission with relevant information on the development.
According to Rimin-Gado, ” We are under pressure to intervene in the economic situation in the country especially the high price of foods in Kano. There is hunger in the land but we are much concerned about traders that are worsening the already bad situation.
” We know the exchange rate of foreign currency is a concern but we have our local challenge. Some unpatriotic elements are ready to compound the situation through corruption means. We would not fold our arms. We would act decisively. We would break any store where food items are hoarded. We would arrest the owner and charge such person to court”.