A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend tariffs, duties, and taxes on the importation of food grains and other essential products, therefore urged the President to disregard critics of the policy.
Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, suggested that the critics either benefit from the economic challenges being faced by the masses or aim to incite unrest against the President.
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the APC chieftain emphasised that Nigerians are hopeful and eager for the dividends of democracy.
He acknowledged that the global economic crisis and some necessary policies introduced by the current administration have challenged the Renewed Hope Agenda, but recent economic measures are starting to yield positive results.
Commending the President for the step, Oyintiloye who is also a former lawmaker, noted that while the tariff suspension might not be a permanent solution to the food crisis, it would alleviate the immediate effects.
“The President’s decision to provide relief to consumers on certain products, despite the Trade Policy on Import Ban, demonstrates a responsible and responsive administration,” Oyintiloye said.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced that maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas would benefit from a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window.
Citing the National Bureau of Statistics data, which showed that food inflation rose to 40.66 per cent in May from 40.53 per cent in April, Oyintiloye emphasised the need for bold action by the government to address the situation.
“I want to commend the President’s bold step on suspending tariffs on food importation. Although this might not be the permanent solution to the food crisis, it will significantly ameliorate the situation.
“The President should ignore the critics and focus on improving the economy and lifting the country out of its inherited economic quagmire,” he said.
Oyintiloye highlighted the importance of agriculture in Nigeria and urged the government to continue aggressive efforts to ensure food abundance.
He advocated a shift from subsistence farming to mechanised system, the provision of soft loans and subsidies for genuine farmers, adequate security, and the integration of youths into agricultural systems.
“I strongly believe that with all the interventions the government has put in place to tackle the food crisis, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security’s projection that food prices will drop in the next 180 days is achievable,” he concluded.