NEC Outlines Initiatives to Ensure Food Security, Affordability

*To make fertilizers available to farmers 

*Establishes agro-rangers to address insecurity in farms 

*Shettima: With collective effort, we’ll overcome our challenges

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The National Economic Council (NEC) rose from its 139th monthly meeting  held virtually in Abuja, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima with a decision to ensure food security.

The initiative was also put an end to the economic challenges confronting the nation, including making fertilizer available to farmers and the establishment of Agro-Rangers to tackle insecurity in farms.
This was as the Vice President has said with collective efforts in developing a clear and actionable roadmap through short-term, medium, and long-term strategies, Nigeria would overcome its economic challenges in the country.

Following a presentation by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, on food security in the country, Shettima directed a meeting of the federal government with major fertilizer producers in the country, including Indorama, Dangote and Notore.
NEC, made up of the 36 governors, Finance and FCT ministers, CBN governor, among others, noted that fertiliser was a major ingredient of agricultural productivity which the government was striving to attain.

He, therefore, urged the governors to embrace modern agricultural practices to increase productivity.
Council also considered the establishment of agro-rangers in the short-term and the possible creation of state police in the long-term to address security threats on farmers. This was after a presentation by the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam.
The government has also concluded plans to release 42,000 metric tonnes of food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve to address rising prices.
Minister of Agriculture called for action against the dollarisation of locally produced commodities like urea, which was impacting negatively on fertilizer prices and agricultural productivity.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has called for sound economic decisions that would reverberate with the expectations of Nigerians.
He expressed hope that with collective efforts in developing a clear and actionable roadmap through short-term, medium, and long-term strategies, Nigeria would overcome its current economic challenges.

Shettima regretted that Nigeria had been a victim of strong averseness to evolving and keeping up with the changing global economic order, leading to a situation where making difficult decisions to maximize its potential has become inevitable.
He said: “We must either redirect the economy towards a place of boom and competitiveness or brace for an impact we are unlikely to survive.
“So, beyond the heritage of our financial and monetary fiascos, we must compare notes to understand the interconnectedness of the dysfunctions in each sector of the economy.”

In his speech titled: “It’s Time to Speed Up Our Prosperity Quest,” Shettima told the council members that it was President Bola Tinubu’s desire that they all stood together to collectively proffer solutions to safeguard the nation’s economy from imminent implosion.
He observed that while the wealth of every nation was in the belly of its citizens, the government had a long distance to cover in its interventions to enhance “food availability and affordability.

“The call to secure and liberate areas under threat from violence, most of which are arable lands owned by our farming communities, is not just a matter of security but a strategic move to revive the economic lifeblood of our nation,” he added.
Noting that the citizens are only keen about tangible results, Shettima stated: “Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, while economic experts foresaw this transitional phase on our journey to a flourishing future, it is crucial to recognise that the ordinary citizen on the street is not concerned with any economic theory. Their daily concerns are anchored in the tangible.

“They are more invested in the price of maize than the predictions of GDP. So, as we deliberate on intricate economic strategies today, let us remain attuned to the heartbeat of the nation. We must ensure that our decisions resonate with the aspirations of the common man and woman who entrust us with their hopes and dreams.”