Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has lamented that hoarding and exportation of assorted grains in the state is causing untold hardship for people of the state.

Consequently, he called for an emergency meeting with the 17 local government chairmen, held on Sunday at the Government House, Damaturu, to address the concerns about food security amidst rising prices of grains and essential commodities in the state.

At the end of the meeting, Mai Mala Buni, in a communiqué signed by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, stated that: “To stem the tide of food scarcity and the high cost of grains and other food items, bulk purchases of grains from Yobe markets must be stopped.”

The Governor attributed the rising prices of commodities, particularly food items, to the hoarding and export of essential grains, including rice, millet, and sorghum to neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

According to him, the state government has liaised with security agencies to discourage such unpatriotic practices that fuel inflation and high costs of living.

The communiqué further contained that, “The bulk purchase of grains from the state’s markets will be closely monitored by security agencies to prevent hoarding of grains and other essential commodities.”

The Governor noted that the measures would prevent artificial scarcity and food insecurity in the state and the country at large.

Besides monitoring grain exports, Mai Mala Buni further said that: “We will roll out concrete measures to cushion the effect of the rising cost of food and other essential commodities for people in the state.

“A stakeholders’ meeting will also be convened immediately in each of the 17 local councils. This will enable the government and stakeholders to discuss the food security situation in the state.”

The Governor added that at the end of the meeting, a workable idea would be generated to address the challenges of rising cost of living and food insecurity.

Mai Mala Buni, therefore, urged the people to continue praying for God’s intervention in overcoming the ongoing challenges in the country.

The state government also condemned the practice of hoarding grains and essential commodities, which leads to artificial scarcity and price inflation in the market.

“Concrete measures will be implemented shortly to alleviate the impact of rising food prices for the people of Yobe State. Stakeholders in each local government area will also convene to address food security challenges and propose solutions,” the statement added.

The Governor urged citizens to continue praying for divine intervention to overcome the current challenges facing the country. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news