FG to go after food stuff hoarders as it releases 42,000 metric tonnes of grains�

The Federal Government has ordered that 42,000 metric tons of grains should be released to citizens to address the challenges of rising cost of food.

This is as the government said it brokered agreement with Rice Miller’s Association for release of tonnes of rice.

Mohammed Idris, the minister of information, stated the measures being taken on Thursday.

“The first one is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been directed to release immediately about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, ‘garri’ and other commodities in their strategic reserve so that these items will be made available to Nigerians.

“The second one is that we have held meetings with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria – those responsible for producing this rice and we have asked them to open up their stores.

They’ve told us that they can guarantee about 60,000 metric tons of rice.

“This will be made available and we know that is enough to sustain Nigerians for the next one month to six weeks, perhaps up to two months.

They’ve agreed that they will make that available to Nigerians.⁣

“The whole idea of this is to crash the cost of these food items and these are measures that would happen immediately.⁣

The government is also looking at the possibility – if it becomes absolutely necessary as an interim measure in the short run – of importing some of these commodities immediately so they can be made available to Nigerians within the next couple of weeks.”

“As soon as the dry season farming gets underway, the government hopes that food prices will drop. ⁣

“Now, the government of course is also looking at all those who are hoarding these commodities because actually, they are available in the stores of many traders.

“The government is appealing to them to make these commodities available in the interest of our nation.

“Don’t lock up the products to make more money and then Nigerians suffer. ⁣

“Of course, the government will not fold its arms. We know where all these major traders are. We know where all these major stores are.

“If they don’t respond by bringing these commodities to the market, the government will take appropriate measures to ensure that these products are made available to Nigerians.”