The
presidency has warned that Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of cereals and
grains, risks famine from early next year following a huge demand in the global
market targeting the country’s surplus production.
Giving the
grim forecast in a radio interview in Kano on Monday, a spokesman for the
President, Garba Shehu, told Pyramid radio that the “huge demand for our grains
in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the mindless
export of Nigerian food across our borders and unless this is curtailed,
Nigerian markets will be bereft of grains by January next year.”
The
presidential spokesman said the Ministry of Agriculture advised the president
to call the attention of all Nigerians to the issue which, if not addressed
promptly, could lead to a shortage of grains in the country.
“Over the
past year, providence has blessed Nigeria with a bountiful harvest of grains,
more than enough to feed the country and to export to other countries,” Mr.
Shehu said.
“At
present, there is a high demand for grains from Nigeria, from African countries
as distant as Libya and Algeria, and from places as far away as Brazil.
However, the ministry of agriculture has raised concerns about a massive rate
of exportation, which could lead to a shortage of grains in Nigeria by
January.”
He
explained that Nigeria currently enjoys a free market situation.
“President
Muhammadu Buhari is not in any way opposed to or intent on tampering with that.
On the other hand, exporters also have a moral obligation to make their produce
available to Nigerians who live within our country’s borders, to ensure that
our citizens have access to food.”
The
President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity the ministry of
agriculture estimated that no fewer than 500 trucks loaded with grain leave
Nigerian markets every week.
He listed
the major markets involved in this troubling exportation to include the Dawanau
market in Kano, Naigatari in Jigawa, Bama in Borno, and Ilela in Sokoto, as well
as three other main markets in Kebbi State.
He further
explained that President Buhari had on various occasions reiterated his plan
for Nigeria to become a food-producing giant, self-sufficient to the point of
depending very little on imported food.
“This
noble plan could easily be defeated by the pull of the foreign market if food
continues to leave our shores to feed people elsewhere. If care is not taken,
Nigeria could face a famine by January,” he stressed.
“Building
our country into the edifice we envision it to be will require sacrifice and
strategy from every single Nigerian. Let us remember that charity begins at
home,” Mr. Shehu said on the radio programme.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Contact Us
Email: publisher@absolutehearts.com
Phone/whatsapp: +2348027922363