Statistics Prediction: Prevent acute food shortage in the country now – Reps tell Buhari

By Christiana Ekpa 

The House of Representatives has urged executive arm of the Federal Government to take drastic measures to prevent acute food shortage in the country, as being predicted by reliable statistics.

The House urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ministry of Agriculture, to make arrangements with a view to investigating the issues and take appropriate actions.

All agricultural related committees of the House have also been mandated to liaise with agencies under their respective supervision to ensure compliance with the needed measures.

The House resolutions followed adoption of a motion by Hon. Rima Shawulu, who expressed worries that in the face of predictions of a global food crisis, insecurity in Nigeria has forced farmers out of their localities, with many relocating to urban centres for fear of attacks by bandits and other criminal groups.

While noting that the global food shortage was blamed on the Russia/Ukraine war, said “ l argued that Nigeria with a poor Debt to Revenue ratio, and a high food import base will not be able sustain such importation for a long time.

According to the lawmaker, both local and international statistics “are indicative that Nigeria will face acute food shortage, stressing that on the Human Development Index, Nigeria was ranked 152 of 188 countries surveyed.

He said “Notes that the world generally is apprehensive of an impending massive shortage of food and possible famine; Notes that while the current impending food shortage is directly

related to the UkraineRussia war which has impacted negatively on supply of grains and fertilizers some areas have remained under armed conflicts; Notes also that next to petroleum products, Nigeria’s highest import bill is on food which is becoming costlier around the world, and our economic outlook, especially, the debt/revenue ratio, may not be able to support the needed massive importation

of food; Notes Further that a recently released central bank report

showed that Nigeria food import bill increased by 45% to $2.71bn in 12 months in 2021;

“Aware that various reports by different multilateral organisations and international NGO’s show that a very significant population of Nigeria will face acute shortage and possible famine in the year 2022; Aware also that so far the attention of the international community is directed at the die needs arising from the conflicts in the North East which has been the pledges and donations;

“Notes that in the new projection at least 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory will face major food crisis in the year 2022: These states include: Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, Cognizant of the fact that terrorists often lay siege on farms, kidnap farmers, sack villages – and force farmers to pay ransome or some fees before accessing their farms; Considering the fact that many farming communities have abandoned their farms and are seeking refuge in urban centres and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps; and Concerned that should no proactive actions be taken now, the impending hunger and food shortages will worsen Nigeria security situation.

“The House Resolves Urge the NEMA, the Presidency and the Ministry of Agriculture to begin to make arrangements to mitigate the emerging foog challenge; and Mandate all Agricultural related House Committees of the to interface with the appropriate ministries and agencies as well as the International Development Partners to begin the process of establishing and implementing protocols to manage food resources and mitigate the food crisis”, he said.