Ndume Raises Alarm Over Food Scarcity, Calls for Urgent Government Action

Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating cost of living and the growing food scarcity crisis in Nigeria. He highlighted the inability of some ministers and National Assembly members to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss these pressing issues.

Ndume and Senator Sunday Steve Karimi jointly sponsored a motion in response to warnings from the World Food Programme, which projected that 82 million Nigerians could face food insecurity within the next five years.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume emphasized that the motion aims to draw government attention to the severity of the food crisis affecting many Nigerians. He warned that if urgent action is not taken, the situation could deteriorate into famine and widespread starvation, particularly among children.

Drawing parallels with countries like Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are succumbing to hunger, Ndume pointed out instances in Katsina State where children are already suffering from malnutrition due to food shortages.

He criticized the government’s perceived lack of accessibility, noting that even ministers struggle to secure meetings with the President, let alone members of the National Assembly seeking to discuss issues affecting their constituencies.

Ndume urged the government to engage with experts and stakeholders promptly to devise effective solutions to combat the food crisis. He stressed the critical need for immediate action to prevent a scenario where food scarcity exacerbates the already soaring prices, potentially leaving people unable to find food in the market despite having the financial means to purchase it.