ABUJA – The Federal Government has constituted a Presidential Task Force to come up with measures that would lead to downward review of food prices that currently make Nigerians groan.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, gave the directive on Wednesday during the Cabinet meeting.
On the Task Force which is expected to report back to Council within seven days are Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Industry, Trade & Development, Dr. Okey Enelamah; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister for Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu and Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige
Also, the Offices of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs are represented on the Task Force.
He expressed concern over the high rates of food prices, charging the Task Force to explore options to promote availability and affordability of food items to Nigerians.
Osinbajo charged the Task Force to consider how to remove some of the cost-raising factors that come into play between the farms and the markets and therefore “bring relief to our people.”
According to the Vice President, despite reports of bumper harvests in parts of the country, the prices of food stuffs still end up rather high while some of the produce even end up wasted due to a number of reasons preventing effective transportation delivery to the markets.
He therefore, enjoined the task Force to review the transportation and preservation processes, and see how government can intervene in those aspects to bring down food prices.
