FG, governors blame EndSARS, banditry for hike in food prices

The Federal Government and state governors have blamed, among others, the nationwide end SARS protest and banditry in the north, as the cause of hike in food prices in the country.

This was stated at a virtual meeting of the National Economic Council presided over by its chairman and Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, and attended by the 36 state governors, on Thursday, November 19.

The council, according to Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, resolved to put measures in place to address the hike in food prices being witnessed across the country.

On the resolutions, Akande said: “Council received the presentation on the above subject matter with current food price situation analysis showing that: Food prices have changed between September and November involving commodities in Lagos and a few randomly selected states.

The Hike in prices is due to the following factors; Delay in going out to farm, which translates to delay in harvesting courtesy of COVID19 pandemic.

End SARS protest stalled food transportation and delivery and in some instances destroyed food stores. Banditry in the northwest effectively preventing farmers from harvesting fields cultivated.

Farmers/herders conflict destroyed farm produce in some states and increased cost of transportation.”