Reps’ Bill Seeks To Compel FG To Regulate Food Prices, Others

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Saturday, October 2nd, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A proposed law to compel the Executive Arm of government to regulate prices of food and other items, in order to guarantee food security and lessen the economic hardship on majority of Nigerians, is underway in the House of Representatives.

The Bill seeking that regulation, is entitled: “An Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to make provisions for Right to Food and Security in Nigeria”.

The Chief Whip of the House, Mohammed Monguno(APC-Borno), who is the sponsor of the instrument, seeks that Section 2(1)(a) Section 16 of the Principal Act (constitution) is altered by deleting in subsection 2(d) the words suitable and adequate food, appearing in lines 1-2”.

He seeks to amend the Act, by “inserting a new section 16(a)”, to read that “The State (Federal Government), shall direct its policy towards ensuring that: a means of production, conservation and distribution of food are upgraded and improved upon on a continuous basis.

“Strategies that guarantee food security of the nation in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability of food to the citizens are initiated, undertaken and implemented and adequate measures are provided to ensure that food security of the nation in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability of food to the citizens are initiated, undertaken and implemented, and adequate measures are provided to ensure that food security of the nation is not compromised by any individual, group or institution, while actions that enhance the sustainability of food security are promoted”.

The proposed law, states in section 33, that “Every person shall have a right to food, which shall be respected, protected and guaranteed by the State, and no one shall be deprived of food under any circumstances”.

The lawmaker noted that “the Prices of food items, Commodities, Goods and Services have skyrocketed by as much as 100 per cent in many parts of Nigeria in the last one year attributed largely caused by monetary policy, border closures, COVID-19 containment measures, and insecurity, causing Nigeria’s inflation rate to rise geometric progression in August 2021.”

The legislators also resolved to set up a meeting with critical stakeholders in the country to address the frightening rise in prices of goods.

The resolutions also include engagement with captains of industries, Trade Union Associations, Board of Directors, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other promoters in the economic sector, on ways for drastic reduction in prices of goods and services in the country.

The House further noted that it’s opened to “any other strategies that can mitigate the effects of the current inflation in the country.”

“All these problems bedevilling our economy, the House is spurred on a move to properly manage the situation before it spreads out of control owing to the impacts on the cost of living, the cost of doing business, and every other facet of the economy”, the motion stated.