The information is contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Services and National Security Adviser to monitor warehouses hoarding food items in the country.
The information is contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
The statement said the step was necessary to address the rising cost of food items in the market across the country.
The President urged state governments to emulate the Kano State government by being watchdogs to all the major food marketers in their respective states.
The statement read in part: “On rising cost of food: The President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production. The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.
“President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
“President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products.
“President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors.”
“President Tinubu implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged,” the statement added.