Senate asks FG to address acute food crisis without delay

The upper chamber has called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the acute food crisis in the country as Nigerians could no longer bear the acute hunger .

The Senate said further that the various Federal Government-owned food reserves across the country were empty.

This they said could lead to nationwide protests by Nigerians unless the federal government do the needful promptly.

This was brought to light when the Senate considered a motion tagged: “Urgent need to address food insecurity and market exploitation of consumables in Nigeria,” co-sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume from Borno state.

Ndume in his argument said “In the North, we have started seeing hunger. People can’t go to the farm. Even in the South East and South West, there are farmers and herders crises.

“Prices of basic food items are high. We need to do something or say something as representatives of the people. This is the first time Nigeria is being included among nations that will face a food crisis.”

Idris Wadada from Nasarawa State said the issue at hand was a serious matter. “Nigerians are very patient, and no people can be that much patient under hunger. As much as we are aware of the factors responsible, we should also make recommendations to the government of the day.

“As representatives of the people, we are responsible and responsive. We are all leaders and critical stakeholders in this country. Whatever we need to do, we must know at all times that we add value to the efforts put in place to eliminate if not reduce the factors responsible for low levels of food production in the country.”

Immediate-past President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his argument, said the patience and tolerance of Nigerians are elastic, but not eternal.

Adamu Aliero from Kebbi State, also raised the alarm that fertilisers earmarked for lawmakers for onward delivery to their constituents were being given to state governors.