High food prices direct consequence of insecurity – Pat Utomi

Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, says food prices are up in Nigeria because the country is not producing enough.

Utomi said many farmers have abandoned their farms because of insecurity.

Read also: Kogi, Kwara, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo are states with highest food prices

He said this during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, advising the government to provide security for farmers to boost food production in the country.

He said the short-term solution is for the government to bring out what the country has in reserve while providing security for farmers for a long-term solution.

“Whatever they have in the grain reserve should show up for immediate supply. We must mobilise every security force available. Strengthen local militias, move them, and even send soldiers into the farms. We have to do this almost like Operation Feed the Nation,” Utomi said.

Speaking on the reason for the persistent food inflation and rising cost of living in Nigeria, he said it is not a surprise that the country found itself in the current situation.

He said it was glaring that the country would end up in the current situation because the previous administration made several wrong decisions coupled with nepotistic appointments.

Read also: Four ways Nigeria can halt surging food prices

Utomi urged the current administration to stay away from panic, saying the introduction of different kinds of policies could further worsen the situation.

He advised calmness, urging the government to look at the origin of the crisis and systematically come up with solutions.