On Tuesday, the Senate called on the federal government to urgently address the nation's growing food insecurity to prevent an impending crisis.
Highlighting the severe hunger and acute starvation afflicting many Nigerians, the Senate stressed the necessity of immediate intervention.
The call came after former Senate President Ahmad Lawan warned of an imminent food crisis, noting the country's food reserves were depleted. The Senate's resolution followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, on the urgent need to tackle food insecurity and market exploitation.
Senators voiced concerns about the high cost of food, urging the government to take swift action. Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured that measures were being taken to alleviate the crisis. He directed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Salihu Mustapha, to update the Senate on fertilizer distribution efforts.
Mustapha explained that the federal government planned to distribute fertilizers to state governors for onward distribution to farmers. Additionally, each senator and House of Representatives member would receive two and one truckloads of fertilizer, respectively, for their constituencies.
Akpabio emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging senators to distribute fertilizers promptly to ensure planting before the major rains. He reassured that security measures were in place to prevent fertilizers from falling into the wrong hands.
Senators, including Ahmad Lawan and Ali Ndume, highlighted the dire food situation across the country, noting that many Nigerians struggle to find food daily. They called for immediate engagement with the executive branch to address the empty food reserves and explore importation options if necessary.
The Senate urged swift action to flood the country with food and alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, emphasizing the government's responsibility to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens.
Tags
politics