A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has Decried the high cost of food items in the country, noting that the situation was becoming worrisome and unaffordable for the masses.
Oyintiloye, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, lamented that most households could no longer afford good meals, with many begging to survive.
The APC chieftain said there was an urgent need for governments at all levels to rescue the masses by providing solutions to the challenge.
Oyintiloye noted that the cost of basic foodstuffs such as rice, beans, garri, semovita, yam flour, among others, were getting out of the reach of the masses, making them eat whatever was available.
According to him, the rise in food prices is mostly caused by insecurity, high cost of transportation, climate change, and instability in the exchange rate.
Oyintiloye added that the astronomical rise in food prices had affected the purchasing power of citizens, leading to uncertainty, an increase in poverty and a high cost of living.
He said that with food as a primary resource for human survival, “the government at every level should undertake tangible programmes to defeat hunger in the land.”
Oyintiloye said that while President Bola Tinubu-led administration was doing everything possible to bring down the food prices, many Nigerians were still struggling to eat three square meals.
Oyintiloye said that despite the food waiver policy being implemented by the Federal Government and the Central Bank’s intervention to curb inflation through the monetary policy, the prices of food were still very high.
He said, “The exchange rate fluctuations further exacerbate this issue, particularly affecting the prices of imported food items. The situation on the prices of food is becoming worrisome and extremely unbearable for the masses.
“Many households can no longer afford nutritious meals, while many are begging for survival. This is pathetic and no longer bearable for the masses.
“I urge governors and the Federal Government to intensify efforts and to stop further increase in the cost of food items. The situation may worsen if factors leading to the increase are left unattended to.”
