In an apparent move to tackle food insecurity exacerbated by the skyrocketing prices of food items and the attendant hunger across the country, the federal government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has suspended import duties on rice, flour, wheat and other essential food items. This gesture, no doubt, is an ample demonstration of the humane disposition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nigerians had, in exercise of their constitutional rights, embarked on protests on August 1, 2024, appealing to Mr President to, among others, step up measures aimed at bringing down the high cost food in the country. It is, therefore, highly probable that it is in response to this appeal that the Comptroller General of the NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, announced the import duty suspension. Adeniyi assured of government’s commitment to addressing the rising costs of essential food items in order to reduce hunger in the land.
“Global inflation is impacting nations worldwide including Nigeria. To address this, the federal government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, is suspending import duties and taxes on essential food items to make them more affordable.
“We are committed to implementing this measure seamlessly to address the problem of hunger in our nation. We have streamlined export processes to ensure that Nigerian goods reach international markets efficiently. We have introduced tools like Advanced Ruling System, Authorised Economic Operator and Time Release Study to enhance trade, stimulate the economy and create opportunities.
“Our farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs will now have a faster path to global markets benefitting their families and communities. We are also intensifying efforts with other agencies to avert proliferation of arms and other dangerous weapons through our land, sea and airports. We believe in collective effort and peaceful progress to strengthen our borders. Disruptions to the supply chain affect foreign investments, distort trade, promote instability, increase scarcity and hinder revenue collection.
“In these challenging times, let us unite in resilience and cooperation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who have embraced the path of peace and dialogue. Your constructive engagement shows a commitment to our nation’s well-being; your cooperation is invaluable as we work to overcome these challenges as we build a brighter future,” he said.
President Tinubu had, at the inception of his administration in May 2023, formulated a number of policies and programmes as well as a declaration of state of emergency on food insecurity towards invigorating the agriculture sector. The government introduced the National Construction and Household Support Programme aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening the economy and providing economic relief for Nigerian households.
The food emergency declaration presupposes that all matters pertaining to food and water affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council. The immediate, medium and long term initiatives are: all-year round farming; creation of special purpose vehicles, like the commodity boards, to liberalise the food production value chain; the immediate activation of land-banks across the country; and bringing to an end the age-long and problematic nomadic animal husbandry, which will be replaced with government managed ranching.
In fulfilment of a key component of the programme, the federal government, a fortnight ago, dispatched 20 trucks of rice to each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Giving a breakdown of the food distribution, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said each state received truckloads of rice, each containing 1,200 bags of 25kg rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable persons and families.
He said the consignment is the first step by the federal government to provide support to all the sub-nationals, noting that state governments are expected to distribute the commodity to bring down the current hardship in the country.
Much as these strategies are vital temporary reliefs or palliatives, we urge the federal government to accelerate the implementation of its medium and long- term agricultural policies and programmes with the objective to attaining food self-sufficiency and the concomitant elimination of the importation of food items. It is scandalous that Nigeria, a largely agrarian country, is dependent on imported food to feed itself. Food security is sine qua non to national security and must not be undermined.
