The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged Nigerians to exercise patience regarding the rising food prices across the nation.
Speaking during an interactive session with traders at Dawanau and Galadima markets in Kano, FCCPC’s acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, stated that the government is making appropriate efforts to address the issue.
Abdullahi explained that the purpose of the market visits was to engage with traders and identify factors contributing to the continuous rise in food prices.
“The hike in food prices has been a major worry to the present administration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, and the government is making efforts to ensure things get better for Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.
He added that insights gathered from the interactions will help the commission advise the Federal Government, in line with Section 17(b) of the FCCPC Act. “The commission’s concern is to tackle issues affecting consumers, especially prices of commodities, to ensure fair market practices,” he added.
Some market union leaders and consumers attributed the continuous increase in food prices to transportation costs and insecurity.
Abdullahi Kasarkabasu, chairman of yam sellers in the Galadima market, said the high cost of diesel has led to increased transportation expenses, affecting the prices of yams and other food items. Kasarkabasu also cited the activities of cattle rustlers and general insecurity, which discourage farming, as additional factors driving up food prices.
Abdulkadir Umar, Chairman of the Rice Dealers Association in Dawanau market, highlighted that paddy rice sourced from villages to rice mills now costs more due to insecurity issues.
Umar noted that the increased costs of procuring and processing rice have led to low patronage, with a ‘mudu’ (measurement plate) of rice now costing between N3,900 and N4,200. He urged the government to increase investment in farming by providing sufficient fertilizer and other inputs and ensuring adequate security for farmers.
Consumer Justina Ogedo appealed to the government to act swiftly to save Nigerians from hunger, saying, “Most consumers can no longer afford a tuber of yam due to the high price. Before now, a tuber of yam was sold for between N500 and N800, but now, it is as high as N4,000. Because of the situation, we now eat twice daily.”
