Despite glaring reasons for the continued rise in prices of food items, ocassioned by insecurity which have displaced and stopped farmers from their farmlands, president Buhari has equally identified only middlemen as responsible for the growing impoverishment of Nigerians and looming food Scarcity.
Buhari, addressing the nation to commomerate the nation’s 61st anniversary said despite significant involvement of private sector in agriculture in particular, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen.
Also, despite prevalent boreholes in most homes, he also claimed that between 2015 and 2020, 71 percent of Nigerians now have access to portable water.
The implication, according to the President is that 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.
“The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water
However, he admitted that despite efforts of his government to make food available and at affordable prices, hunger has continued to take toll on many Nigerians.
His words: “We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
”Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.“
To remedy the situation, Buhari said all relevant agencies have been directed to swing into action save the situation.
”To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.
“To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance groundwater supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.
hy Food Prices Are On The Rise, Buhari, Claims 71% Nigerians Have Access To Portable Water
Despite glaring reasons for the continued rise in prices of food items, ocassioned by insecurity which have displaced and stopped farmers from their farmlands, president Buhari has equally identified only middlemen as responsible for the growing impoverishment of Nigerians and looming food Scarcity.
Buhari, addressing the nation to commomerate the nation’s 61st anniversary said despite significant involvement of private sector in agriculture in particular, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen.
Also, despite prevalent boreholes in most homes, he also claimed that between 2015 and 2020, 71 percent of Nigerians now have access to portable water.
The implication, according to the President is that 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.
“The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water
However, he admitted that despite efforts of his government to make food available and at affordable prices, hunger has continued to take toll on many Nigerians.
His words: “We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
”Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.“
To remedy the situation, Buhari said all relevant agencies have been directed to swing into action save the situation.
”To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.
“To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance groundwater supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.