The Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh has urged the federal government to assist farmers and traders with incentives.
Jimoh made this declaration while speaking with journalists on Monday in Ibadan.
He noted that the government should assist farmers and traders with incentives in order to avoid looming food crisis in the country.
Jimoh while speaking called on the Federal Government to assist farmers and traders with incentives like fund and tools in order to avert looming food insecurity in Nigeria.
The Babaloja-General while speaking further insisted that only the federal government intervention can avert threatening food insecurity and bring prices of commodities down to reasonable level where common man can boast of two average meals per day.
He explained that the recent removal of subsidy on petroleum which subsequently jacked up the pump price of petrol has forced transporters to increase cost of transportation for goods or passengers.
He regretted that farmers inturn have increased selling price of their produce.
He then called on the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assist the farmers and traders so as to avert food crisis in the country.
Jimoh while speaking further, however praised two states’ governors in the Southwest region, Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for investing heavily on security, especially in the rural areas.
Jimoh while addressing the journalists insisted that traders are facing terrible dilemma in Nigeria now as a result of consumer’s believe that they (traders) are behind the hike in food prices.
Jimoh said, “As situation is presently, only federal government intervention can avert threatening food insecurity and bring prices of commodities down to reasonable level where common man can boast of two average meals per day.
“Traders are facing terrible dilemma in Nigeria now as a result of consumer’s believe that traders are behind the hike in food prices, whereas we traders serve as punching bags being hit by other economic agents, including government, manufacturers, producers, farmers and consumers.
“The recent removal of petroleum subsidy which subsequently jacked up the pump price of petrol has forced transporters to increase cost of transportation for goods or passengers, farmers inturn have increased selling price of their produce, living now becomes difficult for consumers due to insufficient resources to cater for even necessities.
“Giving out interest-free loan to farmers and traders is a good way of relieving them of the pressure coming from their business environment and society. However, government need to put in place good control measure towards ensuring prompt repayment and sincerity of purpose. This can be achieved by engaging managers who will help in ensuring funds are not diverted but invest on good and profitable businesses and also supervise the repayment process.
“I also call on Mr. President to listen to the pleas of the masses and make living easy for millions of Nigerians walloping in abject poverty as I wish his administration unprecedented success and outstanding wisdom to bring peace and unity back to our great nation”