FOOD SCARCITY: Kano Gov appeals for reopening Nigerian borders amidst suffering
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appealed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to – as a matter of urgency – consider the reopening of the county’s land borders for seamless importation of food stuff towards alleviating the suffering of Nigerian masses.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, shortly after receiving the Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the Government House in Kano, on Monday.
Governor Yusuf, according to the Director General Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature, lamented the critical condition of hunger and starvation in the country, which was caused by the rampant hike in prices of commodities in the country.
“We wish to appreciate the President’s intervention on the ongoing national food initiative which he considers Kano as the host for the initiative to be launched believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented,” the Governor said.
According to the Governor, another immediate intervention that can make food available and affordable to our teaming population is for the Federal Government to consider the reopening of the borders and allow free importation of commodities.
During the meeting with the Customs CG in his office, Governor Yusuf laid emphasis on the prevalent hardships faced by the populace, particularly during the sacred month of Ramadan, underscoring the necessity of opening the borders to alleviate their distress.
He also expressed satisfaction with the Customs Service’s initiative to commence the distribution of food items to citizens in Kano State amidst the prevailing hardships and hunger experienced by many, urging the Customs Service to ensure that this benevolent act reaches the most affected people.
Furthermore, the Governor assured the Customs Service of his unwavering support in all aspects, particularly those that would yield positive outcomes for Kano and Nigeria at large.
In his remarks, Adeniyi reiterated the significance of fortifying the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano community, emphasizing the Service’s deeper commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding.
He pledged to implement policies aimed at refining business processes and fostering engagement with stakeholders.
While in Kano interacting with various stakeholders, CG Adeniyi also stated that the Service had made comprehensive arrangements to address the current challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano by distributing essential food items to the state’s residents.
