Bankole supports FG measures on food crisis

11.05.2008

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole has thrown his weight behind measures by the federal government to tackle the global food crisis as it affects Nigeria.

Speaking shortly on arrival from a capacity building overseas trip, Rt. Hon. Bankole listed such commendable measures as the approval of N80billion for rice importation to be sold at subsidized prices, the release of 11,000metric tones of grain from strategic reserves as well as the recent suspension of import duties and levies on rice for six months.

The speaker said these measures were in line with conscious attempt at preventing hardship and suffering for the masses of Nigeria arising out of a food crisis that is essentially a global phenomenon.

Rt. Hon. Bankole restated his earlier stand at a meeting with Lagos business community that the House of Representatives would look at the possibility of legislations aimed at reducing or eliminating import duties and levies on rice.

The speaker said the food crisis has received the attention of the House through the passage of a motion requiring urgent action in the short and long terms as being implemented already by the Federal Government measures adding that the House would soon convene a stakeholders’ forum on food security to fashion out medium and long term strategies against food shortages.