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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to provide incentives for small businesses to ensure food security,boost productivity and purchasing power.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party noted that food prices have soared beyond the reach of Nigerians as a result of “violence, terrorism and banditry in food production areas.”
It said rising insecurity has hampered the production and distribution value chain, adding that there is no hope in sight.
The opposition party, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address food insecurity and starvation in the country.
It also urged the government to address violent attacks and killing of farmers and livestock producers.
“The PDP also believes that the time has come for President Buhari to provide direct stimuli to small businesses as incentive to pay salaries, revamp production and boost purchasing power.
“Our party charges President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to address the urgent issue of hunger by opening our silos to cushion the situation and push down prices.
“The Federal Government should also realign the agricultural sector by beefing up security in food production areas so that our farmers can return to the farmlands,” the statement added.
The PDP further advised the Buhari to take steps to recover the country’s stolen funds and channel part of it to emergency action for food security in the country.