In a bid to address the ongoing food crisis in the country, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider opening the borders and allowing the importation of food items.
Oba Akanbi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, proposed the importation of grains and building materials to stimulate a competitive market and curb inflation.
Highlighting the alleged actions of local producers as saboteurs of the economy, the monarch emphasized the need for border opening for a period of at least six months. However, he clarified that the border with Niger Republic should remain closed. Oba Akanbi also urged the federal government to regulate the prices of grains and building materials by temporarily halting the export of locally produced items and permitting their importation.
“The high cost of food items is having a detrimental impact, and urgent action is required from the government,” said Oluwo’s Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, in the statement. “All borders should be opened except for Niger Republic to control the soaring prices of goods. President Ahmed Tinubu should authorize the importation of all food items except GMO products. The ban, particularly on rice and various types of grains, must be lifted.”
Oba Akanbi expressed concern regarding the actions of local producers, whom he believed were impeding the government’s economic efforts. He emphasized the need to encourage competition and prevent the exportation of local products. Furthermore, he proposed allowing the importation of grains and building materials to foster competition and regulate prices.
The monarch further stated, “I suspect sabotage. Many local producers are frustrating the government’s economic endeavors. Timely measures should be taken to expose and address these saboteurs. Numerous Nigerians possess significant wealth abroad but are reluctant to bring it back home. I am confident that they would be willing to do so if these options are considered. Opening the borders for the next six months, at least, will help tackle inflation and stabilize food prices.”
As an immediate response to the country’s growing food crisis and the rising cost of commodities, Tinubu had previously ordered the release of over 102,000 metric tons of various grains from the National Food Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this information during a press briefing at the State House.
Idris explained, “The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been directed to release approximately 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities from their strategic reserve. These items will be made available to Nigerians immediately. Furthermore, we have engaged with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, who have assured us that they can provide around 60,000 metric tons of rice. This quantity will be made available, ensuring that Nigerians have an adequate supply for the next one to two months.”