FG AND STATES AGREE TO INVEST IN AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT, FOR FOOD SECURITY 15-02-24
By Sadiq Aminu Federal and State Governments have agreed to invest massively in agriculture, including livestock development and management, to ensure lasting food security in the country
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting President Tinubu held with State Governors at the State House, Abuja.
He said the meeting had directed the National Security Adviser, the Director General of the Department of State Services, and the Inspector General of Police to co-ordinate with State Governors to prevent hoarding of food items.
The Minister said the meeting agreed that the Governors and the President set up a joint committee to deepen their interaction on the issues of food and security raised at the gathering and implement them accordingly.
“It is important that all the time, the federal government and the state governors who are leaders at the subnational level to continue to engage and interact collectively so that issues of national importance will continue to be addressed, and we don’t leave room for any speculation or for people who may seize the opportunity to say things that are not in the interest of our country.
“At this point, the nation requires foods to be brought out to the people so that we can control prices and put food on the table of most Nigerians, other commodity traders are busy hoarding these commodities so that Nigerians will suffer or they will make more money as a result”, he added.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris said the meeting reviewed the country’s level of food crisis and concluded that there would not be need for food importation.
“Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and even be a net exporter of food items to other countries. And we do not also want to reverse some of the progress we have seen in terms of food production in this country.
“What we’re seeing now is just a temporary difficulty that will soon go away. Therefore, the solution to it is by continuous investment in agriculture so that food can be made available to all Nigerians.
“Of course,you know that Mr. President has declared emergency in agriculture many months ago. Therefore, part of the measures that he has taken is to ensure that investments, more investments are made in this sector for the benefit of our people”, the Minister stressed.
On the issue of security of lives and property, the Minister said the meeting noticed an improvement in the situation, adding that the achievement has allowed farmers in Borno, Plateau and other trouble-spots to return to the farm.
The meeting, according to the Minister, discussed the possibility of improving the numeric strength of forest rangers, and train them on how to keep the forests and borders safe.
“Now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The federal government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police.
Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. Both the federal government and the state governments agree to the necessity of having state police, now this is a significant shift. But like I said, more work needs to be done in that direction”, Alhaji Mohammed Idris said.