NEWS
Duty-free Food Policy: FCT Residents Express Concern
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/food.jpeg)
Some Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents, have expressed mixed reactions to the Federal Government’s duty-free period on some essential food items in the country.
While traders expressed optimism, other Nigerians newsmen on Sunday that they were somewhat indifferent to the policy.
The residents argued that experience had taught them that it was possible for prices of goods to increase but almost impossible for them to decline, no matter the circumstances.
Report says that the Federal Government announced on July 8, a 150-day duty-free import window for some food commodities.
Consequently, the government suspended duties, tariffs, and taxes on the import of certain food commodities through land and sea borders.
The government also expressed willingness to collaborate with states to expand land cultivation to tackle rising inflation, which has impoverished many Nigerians.
Mrs Funmi Adebayo, a trader in Apo, said the skyrocketing cost of basic food items had been a constant struggle.
Adebayo welcomed the government’s intervention with cautious optimism, saying that if the aim was achieved, it would ameliorate Nigerians’ sufferings.
“The price of rice has continued to increase, making it difficult for sellers and buyers alike.
“A bag of foreign rice sold at N75,000 a few weeks ago is now selling for N85,000 to N90,000 today.
“This duty-free policy may help bring down costs, and that will be a huge relief for people like me who are finding it hard to make ends meet,” she said
Another trader, Kasim Mustafa, who sells cereals and other food items at the Apo Fish Market, also decried the high cost of items and low sales.
Mustafa said the policy would ease the burden of soaring food prices and improve food security in the country.
“It is a welcome development for us, even if it is just for a short period.
“Two to three weeks ago, I sold a mudu of dry maize and guinea corn for N1, 3500 to N1,400, but today, I am selling it for N1,500.
“If this policy results in reduced prices of food items, it will excite Nigerian who rely on these staples to feed their families,” he said.
According to him, it will increase sales for traders, thus providing them (traders) more money to care for our families and improve our businesses.
These sentiments were echoed by Mr Chinedu Okeke, an artisan and widower with three children.
“It has not been easy for me since I lost my wife, and I am faced with the responsibility of providing and taking care of my children all by myself.
“Every trip to the market is a challenge because my salary has not increased for two years now, and the cost of living keeps increasing daily.
“These days, there is no food for the common man as food items which used to be affordable for commoners are no longer available,” Okeke said.
According to him, the price for a mudu of beans, which many ordinary Nigerians used to enjoy before, is now being sold for N3,500, which is extremely high.
Okeke said: “If the government can reduce the cost of rice, wheat, beans and maize, it will make a big difference for my family.”
Also speaking, Ms Gladys Anthony, a civil servant, said she was open to Federal government policy.
According to her, it will take God’s intervention and a lot of effort for the prices of goods, which have increased to drop.
“I am optimistic like every Nigerian, but I will only express my joy when I see that the prices of things begin to drop,” she said.
Meanwhile, while urban consumers look forward to potential price reductions, farmers in rural areas have mixed feelings about the influx of duty-free imports.
Mr Terlumun Azege, a rice farmer in Benue said, “it is good that the government wants to help with food prices, but what about us farmers?
“The government must ensure balanced policies that support consumers and local producers because we need support to improve our yields and compete with imported goods.
“If the market is flooded with cheap imports, it can hurt local agriculture in the long run, so we need investment in farming technology and infrastructure to be self-sufficient,” he said.
A financial expert, Mrs Chinonso Onyeka, said while this policy was a step in the right direction, it must be part of a broader strategy.
“We need to ensure that local farmers are not left behind and that measures are in place to sustain food security beyond these 150 days.
“We appreciate the government’s effort but also need to see long-term changes. Affordable food should not be temporary; it should be a constant reality.
“There is, therefore, a pressing need for sustained, balanced measures that support consumers and local producers in the long run,” Onyeka said. (NAN)
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ajuri-Ngelale-Special-Adviser-Media.jpg)
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/fuel-scarcity.jpg)
By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Demolished-Building-Ghana.jpg)
There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.