NACP National Chairman Urges Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency On Food Production, Address Price Control

By Akinwale Kasali

Amb. Dr. John Adekorede Aderibigbe, National Chairman, National Agricultural Commodities Projects, NACP, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for listening to the voice of reasoning by addressing the nation as the #EndBadGovernance Protest escalates.

Aderibigbe said though the President addressed National Issues, but emphasis still must be made in realities as regards price control.

He said that there are no institutions in the country that controlling price of commodities in the formal and informal sectors, stressing that the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, led by Zach Adedeji, urge to be saddled with the responsibility of addressing this.

Speaking further, the NACP Chairman added that in saner climes, the Government supports all Smallholder Farmers feeding the nation, urging the President Tinubu administration to borrow a leaf from this by boosting the Agricultural sector by growing commodity crops, animal husbandry,  aquaculture, fisheries and mechanization.

“Sincerely, we at NACP want to recognize the input of President Tinubu in the Agricultural sector by procuring tractors, lifting of Duty Levies on Agricultural produce, etc

“But emphasis is still on Smallholder Farmers, for them to be engaged in real time food production.

“We at NACP want to recognize his contributions on Real Estate Sector by providing affordable Housing Scheme. We further appeal that the common man in the country should be able to afford these housing schemes for them to have a sense of belonging in his administration. ”

Aderibigbe further stressed that it was necessary for President Tinubu, with a matter of urgency, declared a state of emergency on food production with the Local Government Autonomy verdict by the Supreme Court. President Tinubu should announce food production in NACP’s 774 LGs initiatives Farming Support Schemes in partnership with all microfinance banks, Bank of Agriculture, and Insurance Companies.

Though the President, during his address, said he has been meeting with Governors and key Ministers to accelerate food production, but Aderibigbe stressed that key stakeholders who have been in the cycle and have clouts needs to consulted and integrated into this vision to make food production achievable in the country.

The President had also stated that fertilizers has been distributed to large numbers of farmers, but the NACP Chairman said those put in charge of the distribution of these fertilizers are shortchanging the real Smallholder farmers.

He further added that he hopes that the target of the Federal Government to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land to grow what we eat, coupled, with the provision of all necessary incentives will get to its target audience.

He, however, appealed to the organizers of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, urging them to give the President Tinubu a chance by being calm and peaceful and giving room for more negotiation.

“I remain optimistic that the economic fortunes of the nation will witness a wind of change, I plead with aggrieved protesters to rescind their decision and put an end to the protest and give the FG room to put the round peg in the round hole for the betterment of the nation”.