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Governors unite with FG to tackle food security by streamlining levies, checkpoints

In a collaborative effort to address pressing food security issues, the 36 state governors in Nigeria have pledged to work closely with the Federal Government to harmonize levies, eliminate illegal checkpoints, and facilitate the smooth flow of goods across state lines. The announcement was made following a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, with participation from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other key stakeholders on Thursday morning.

In a communiqué shared by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governors highlighted that the widespread presence of checkpoints, unlawful taxation, and inadequate infrastructure are critical factors contributing to food price inflation and disrupting the food supply chain.

Sanwo-Olu noted, “The Forum received a briefing from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, alongside the Honourable Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation, on the surging costs associated with food and livestock transportation across the nation. The presentation revealed that the proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation, and poor infrastructure significantly contribute to price inflation and inefficiencies within the food supply chain.”

The NSA indicated that a high-level inter-ministerial committee has been commissioned to address these issues, and it has submitted its recommendations for approval by the Forum. The governors acknowledged the urgency of the situation, expressing their commitment to collaborating with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorized checkpoints, and enhance the movement of goods across state borders.

Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that states have collectively invested over $2.2 billion through the implementation platforms of the Nigeria Community Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

“The Forum received a presentation from the World Bank regarding the NG-CARES programme,” he continued. “The bank highlighted that states have made significant investments totaling over US$2.2 billion through the NG-CARES delivery platforms, positively impacting over 17 million direct beneficiaries.”

The governors further expressed their concern regarding the World Bank’s failure to fulfill its financial commitments under NG-CARES 1.0. They emphasized the need for a prompt and amicable resolution between the World Bank and participating states to conclude the first phase of the programme before advancing to NG-CARES 2.0. This subsequent phase is designed to bolster long-term resilience for vulnerable households and enterprises across Nigeria.

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