BY Disun Amosun
The National Assembly joint committee on Agricultural Production and Services yesterday warned of the reality of the projection by the World Food Programme that about 33.1milloon of Nigeria’s population will be in acute hunger by 2025, underlying a potential threat to food Security if drastic measures are not taken to avert it.
Chairman Senate Committee Saliu Mustapha and his House of Representatives counterpart Rep Bello Kaoje alluded to this fact at the Budget Defence by agencies under the Ministry.
The joint chairmen were categorical in their separate statements that the WFP projection should not be allowed to manifest, adding that it is best averted by allocating sufficient funds to the Agric Sector.
Rep Kaoje assured that NASS is committed to passing the budget and expressed concern about the showering prices of foodstuff and other produce, to the extent that food is now seemingly no longer within the reach of the average Nigerian.
This development, according to the lawmaker, “requires the adjustment of national focus and policies we adopt towards improving food production, starting with improved budgetary allocation to the all-important Agric Sector.
Hon. Kaoje also said the Legislature will do everything possible to correct challenges facing the sector and liaise with the appropriation committee to ensure the renewed Hope Agenda of the President is achieved in the area of food security.
