In an apparent bid to douse the rising anger among Nigerians over the high cost of living, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abass has pledged to put in place measures aimed at ensuring availability of essential food items at affordable rates.

At a press conference held at the national Assembly complex in Abuja, he disclosed that the House would propose enacting legislation to enable swift government response to tackle food shortages, including emergency food aid and support for affected populations.

The Speaker cited support for import and export policies that stabilise food prices and ensure adequate supply of essential food items at affordable rates, especially for the citizenry living in rural areas.

Expressing concern to the House over the high rate of food inflation, he reiterated the House resolve to promote security so that farmers can feel safe to return to their farms.

The Speaker commended the rapid and decisive response of the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the issue of food security in the country.

He particularly referred to the 2023 Supplementary Budget which provided a N200bn palliative package, mainly for grains, seeds, agricultural inputs and equipment for farmers to butress his assertion.

“This momentum has been sustained in the 2024 Budget, which has significantly improved budgetary allocations to all critical sectors of the economy, especially defense, healthcare, education and infrastructure,” he said.

“In 2023, the President declared a state of emergency on food security, focusing on improving both availability and affordability. Some immediate measures approved the release of fertilisers and grains to farmers and households, particularly given the fallouts from the removal of fuel subsidies.

“Others include boosting the national strategic food reserve and introducing a price stabilisation mechanism, especially for critical food items. And just a few days ago, President Tinubu also constituted a special presidential committee headed by the Chief of Staff to take immediate steps to arrest the worsening food situation.

“We in the National Assembly have supported and will continue to support the government’s efforts in finding effective solutions to these challenges. For the first time in the history of the Nigerian legislature, the 10th House set up a Committee on Nutrition and Food Security with a mandate to strengthen the legislative framework for nutrition governance in Nigeria, advocate for the inclusion of nutrition in government priority programmes and monitor resource allocation to nutrition in the annual budget estimates.”

He thereby reassured Nigerians that the House will prioritise funding for programmes and initiatives to alleviate hunger and enhance security of Nigerians.