Govt Urge Citizens Not To Panic Over Hike In Food Prices

The blockage of food and cattle from the Northern parts of the country to the Southern parts is beginning to take a toll on Lagos and other South-Western cities and South-east towns, investigation has revealed.

The Lagos State Government has advised residents not to panic over reports that trucks conveying food from the North are stuck on the way.

In a statement, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, assured Lagosians of food security despite the crisis.

According to him, there is no need for anxiety.

He was quoted as saying this while appearing as a guest on “Daily Digest with Jimi Disu”, a programme on Nigerian Info 99.3FM, on Tuesday.

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Omotoso said the government was not ignorant of the food supply situation and assured citizens that it would not be allowed to become a crisis.

Asked what the government was doing about the matter, he replied, “The government is aware of the situation and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on top of it. He has initiated steps to ensure the matter is resolved by the weekend.

“I assure you Governor Sanwo-Olu is on top of the matter. There will be a meeting. He will tell both sides to embrace peace in the interest of all.’’

He also urged residents to “take it easy” as Lagos State would continue to put facilities in place to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and supply.

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The crisis emanated from the clash of traders in Ibadan. Food and cattle merchants from the North have withheld supplies, an action that has sparked rising prices. Lagos consumes at least 50% of agricultural products in Nigeria.

Anaedooonline.ng reported that though the threat to withdraw cattle and food supply to the South had initially been thought to be a joke or a mere threat that cannot be acted upon by many, especially those in the South, who heavily depend on vegetables, especially tomatoes, pepper and onions from the North.

They were, however, jolted into reality after videos emerged online showing trucks loaded with perishable goods, yams and cattle being blocked and turned back at a village shortly after Jebba, at the border between Kwara and Niger States.

That singular action and its attendant implications on the availability and prices of meat, vegetables and other goods from the North, have shown how deeply dependent the South has become in terms of food supply.