From ABBAS GUNGURA, Bauchi
Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Japan, Adamu Aliyu, has described as inhumane the attitude of some Nigerian businessmen who stock foodstuff in large ware houses across the country in the hope of making profit when the foodstuffs are in high demand.
In an interview with our correspondent in his residence, recently, Aliyu noted that stocking or hoarding essential commodities which are in need is an insensitive act that ends up hurting the ordinary Nigerian who cannot afford it when the price soars.
He said “In reality, there are real and serious problems that hinge on poverty and food scarcity in the country. The Federal Government and all other well-meaning citizens must be concerned in view of the happenings in the country. The reality of the matter is that we are not really sure any of the state governments did have food reserves”.
The 81-year old technocrat noted that the Federal Government has the big task of looking for food to supply hungry citizens, and warned those hoarding foodstuffs in warehouse to desist or the long hand of the law would catch up with them.
“The reality of the matter is that there is serious insecurity in the country. One would have to admit that the insecurity did not start with the coming of this government led by President Bola Tinubu”, he pointed out.
He recalled, “For the eight consecutive years of General Muhammadu Buhari, he met insecurity, and unfortunately the efforts put by his government to curb the situation, was not good enough and didn’t solve security challenges, as such, the current government inherited a very bad situation.
“The good thing is that the party running the government today, is the same party that ran the government of General Muhammadu Buhari for eight years. The party and the current government must put heads together to seek opinions from highly knowledgeable people on how to avert the eminent famine threatening the citizens”.
Adamu Aliyu expressed the believe that it is very apt for the government to insist on reasonable prices for food. He advised the government to stamp its feet against those who are keeping large stocks of grains and other items so as to maximise profit.
He said that with the rainy season approaching, the need for the federal government to assist Nigerian farmers cannot be over-emphasised, stressing that assisting the farmers is necessary for them to grow food and cash crops to reduce the impact of food insecurity.
The technocrat emphasised that “Government has the ways and means to appeal to those who already have large stocks of grains stored up, to bring them into the markets and ask reasonable prices for the foodstuff.” He explained that if that was done, the prices of the product would go down.
