President Bola Tinubu has been encouraged to disregard the backlash regarding the recent suspension of tariffs, duties, and taxes on food grain imports and other products entering Nigeria.
This call for support came from Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, during a press conference held in Osogbo on Sunday.
As previously reported by DAILY POST, the Federal Government announced on July 8, 2024, that it would suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on specific essential food items imported through both land and sea routes.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed during a press briefing in Abuja that items such as maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas would benefit from a 180-day Duty-Free Import Window.
Oyintiloye expressed that Nigerians are optimistic and eager to see the fruits of democracy, suggesting that those who criticize the policy might either be profiting from the economic hardships faced by the populace or attempting to incite unrest against the president.
He emphasized that the ongoing global economic crisis, combined with necessary policy adjustments by the current administration, has posed challenges to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, but he noted that recent measures to revitalize the economy are starting to show positive outcomes.
“While the suspension of tariffs might not serve as a permanent fix for the food crisis, it will help alleviate its immediate impact. The president deserves praise for this decisive action,” Oyintiloye stated.
He highlighted that the president’s decision to ease costs on certain goods, despite existing trade policies, reflects a responsible and responsive governance style in response to public demand.
Oyintiloye referenced the latest statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which revealed that food inflation increased to 40.66 percent in May, up from 40.53 percent in April. He argued this data indicated the necessity for bold government action, such as that taken by the president.
“The president should brush aside the critiques from those who fail to recognize the merit in his decision. Nigeria has voted for effective governance and an improved standard of living. To achieve these goals, the president must concentrate on enhancing the economy and overcoming the inherited economic difficulties,” he asserted.
Emphasizing agriculture’s vital role in Nigerian society, Oyintiloye urged the government to persist in its proactive measures to ensure food availability.
“I call on all levels of government to abandon outdated subsistence farming practices and adopt mechanized farming techniques. Furthermore, they should empower farmers through accessible loans, subsidize farming equipment, ensure adequate security, and engage the youth in agricultural initiatives,” he advocated.
“I firmly believe that with the government’s ongoing interventions to address the food crisis, the projection made by Minister Abubakar Kyari that food prices will decline within the next 180 days is attainable,” he concluded.
