Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend tariffs, duties, and taxes on the importation of food grains and other essential products. He urged the President to ignore critics of the policy.
Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, suggested that these critics either benefit from the economic difficulties faced by the masses or aim to incite unrest against the President.
In a statement released on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Oyintiloye emphasized that Nigerians are hopeful and eager to see the benefits of democracy. He acknowledged that the global economic crisis and certain necessary policies introduced by the current administration have challenged the Renewed Hope Agenda, but recent economic measures are beginning to yield positive results.
Oyintiloye, who is also a former lawmaker, noted that while the suspension of tariffs might not be a permanent solution to the food crisis, it would alleviate immediate hardships. He praised the President for this initiative, saying, “The President’s decision to provide relief to consumers on certain products, despite the Trade Policy on Import Ban, demonstrates a responsible and responsive administration.”
On July 8, the Federal Government announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on essential food items imported via land and sea borders. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced that maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas would benefit from a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that food inflation rose to 40.66 percent in May from 40.53 percent in April, Oyintiloye emphasized the need for bold government action to address the situation.
“I commend the President’s bold step on suspending tariffs on food importation. Although this might not be the permanent solution to the food crisis, it will significantly alleviate the situation,” he said. “The President should ignore the critics and focus on improving the economy and lifting the country out of its inherited economic quagmire.”
Oyintiloye also highlighted the importance of agriculture in Nigeria and urged the government to continue aggressive efforts to ensure food abundance. He advocated for a shift from subsistence farming to a mechanized system, the provision of soft loans and subsidies for genuine farmers, adequate security, and the integration of youths into agricultural systems.
“I strongly believe that with all the interventions the government has put in place to tackle the food crisis, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security’s projection that food prices will drop in the next 180 days is achievable,” he concluded.
Punch