LAGOS: Food blockade from North to South won’t result in crisis — Govt

THE government has assured residents of the state of food security despite the food blockade to the  South by traders of Northern extraction.

The government said he is working on measures that will prevent the situation from degenerating into a crisis in the commercial nerve centre of the country.

“There is no need for anxiety, as food security is guaranteed, despite the crisis” Lagos State Commissioner for Information,  Gbenga Omotoso, assured Lagosians.

Omotoso gave the assurance while featuring on “Daily Digest with Jimi Dish” a programme on Nigerian Info 99.3 FM yesterday.

He stressed that  the government was not ignorant of the food supply situation and assured citizens that it would not be allowed to become a crisis.

Asked what the government was doing about the matter, he replied: “The government is aware of the situation and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on top of it. He has initiated steps to ensure the matter is resolved by the weekend.”

When the commissioner was told that something drastic needed to be done before the weekend because prices of food items were rising.

Omotoso replied: “I assure you Governor Sanwo-Olu is on top of the matter. There will be a meeting. He will tell both sides to embrace peace in the interest of all.’’

He also urged residents to “take it easy” as Lagos State would continue to put facilities in place to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and supply.

Food and cattle merchants from the North have withheld supplies to register their grievances over what they described as unfair treatment from their Southern compatriots.

The decision was taken following series of attacks allegedly targeted at Fulani herders following the clash between them and members of host communities where are residing.

The situation got to a head after the ethnic clash at the famous Shasha Market in Ibadan which reportedly led to attack of Nigerians of northern extraction.

Northern traders, afterwards, began blockade of food items and cows to the South.

An action that has sparked rising prices.

Lagos is one of the states worst hit by the development because its residents consume at least 50% of agricultural products in Nigeria.