Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has raised alarm over the escalating cost of living and the increasing scarcity of food in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume criticized the federal government’s handling of these issues, highlighting that even some ministers are unable to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss these pressing matters.
Ndume stated, “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies.”
This interview followed a motion sponsored by Ndume and his colleague, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, aiming to address the food crisis in the country. They cited warnings from the World Food Programme that 82 million Nigerians might face food insecurity in the next five years.
The senator emphasized the severity of the situation, urging the government to act swiftly to prevent famine and starvation, particularly among children.
“We want to draw the government’s attention to the fact that Nigeria is not only facing a high cost of living but also food scarcity,” Ndume said.
He highlighted the dire situation in Katsina State, where children are already suffering from malnutrition, and compared it to crises in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying of hunger.
“We have seen how it happened in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, and we are starting to see it in Nigeria,” he added.
Ndume called on the government to engage with experts and stakeholders to find a solution to the food crisis.
He expressed disappointment in the government’s lack of concrete steps despite previous promises to address the issue.
“What we want the government to do is to sit with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. We are urging the government to take action, lest they forget that Nigeria is grappling with both soaring prices and a severe food shortage.”
He warned of a possible scenario where even those with the financial means might find no food available in the market.
“We fear that a day may come when even if someone has the financial means to purchase food, they will go to the market and find none available,” he concluded.
The call to action from Senator Ndume underscores the urgency of addressing the food scarcity and cost of living issues to avert a potential humanitarian crisis in Nigeria.