Osinbajo meets Presidential Task Force on food security

Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday met behind closed doors with members of the Presidential Task Force on the rising cost of food items in Nigeria.

All members of the group attended the meeting, which took place at Aguda House, the official residence of the acting President.

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the setting up of the task force as part of efforts to enhance affordable food prices across country.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the task force is to urgently consider measures that would ensure a steady flow of produce to the market and reverse recent price increases, as well as explore options to promote availability and affordability of food items to Nigerians.

The task force, which is expected to submit its interim reports on February 8, has Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (Finance); Dr. Okey Enelamah (Industry, Trade and Development); Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Alhaji Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources); and Dr. Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment) as members.

Nigeria’s consumer prices rose by 1.1 per cent in December last year, against November’s 0.8 per cent increase.

The inflation figure for the period was 18.6 per cent, the highest since October 2005, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, which the inflation was fueled by higher prices in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.