Niger slashes prices of grains by 50%

As the prices of food items continue to rise in the open market, the Niger State Government has slashed the cost of grains by about 50 per cent.
Also the government on Tuesday commenced the public sale of grains at the ward level throughout the state.
A measure of rice was being sold at N300 as against the market price of N600, while maize, sorghum and millet sell at N80 per approved government measure instead of the price of N140 in the open market.
However, the government has directed that no buyer should purchase more than five measures at a time, while also directing all security operatives in the state to be on the alert to apprehend anyone violating the order.
The State’s Acting Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, who flagged off the sale in Minna, the state capital, said it was morally and religiously wrong for traders to use the Ramadan season to increase the prices of their goods.
Ketso said the government purchased a total of 1,580 metric tones of assorted grains for sale to the public at a price he did not announce.
He equally said the government was not in a position to give the items free because of the prevailing economic situation of the state.
The major reason the government embarked on the project, the acting Governor said, was to “ensure food security and bring relief to the people.
“Government has invested heavily on this project it will continue until the economy improves.”
Alhaji Ketso pleaded with traders in the open markets to bring down the prices of food items, saying they should not be involved in inflicting pains on their neighbours.
He said: “It is immoral to use the Holy season to exploit the people.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Danyaya, said the present administration in the state would continue to implement policies and programmes that would bring succour to the ordinary people.