The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government (FG) to implement a food stamp programme as a proactive measure to alleviate the impact of hunger and the prevailing food crisis in the country, News About Nigeria reports.
The call came during a plenary session where the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, presented a motion on the need for urgent interventions to address food insecurity.
The motion stated that it is an important food stamp programme that would serve as a supplemental nutrition assistance initiative aimed at providing food-purchasing assistance for low- and no-income individuals.
The objective is to help vulnerable populations maintain adequate nutrition and health.
The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to collaborate with development partners and relevant stakeholders, including initiatives such as the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, to establish practicable templates and implementable modalities for the successful implementation of the food stamps programme.
Senator Ndume, who sponsored the motion, spoke on the challenges contributing to the food crisis in Nigeria, including ongoing conflicts, climate change impacts, escalating inflation, and rising costs of essential commodities.
He referenced the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé Analysis on food insecurity, projecting that around 26.5 million people in Nigeria would face high levels of food insecurity in 2024.
Senator Ndume pointed to the success of similar programmes in other countries, such as the United States’ Food Stamp programme, which has been in operation since 1933.
Several senators expressed support for the motion, acknowledging that the introduction of food stamps would complement efforts to address food insecurity.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, emphasised the timeliness of the initiative, and other lawmakers stressed the importance of ensuring that the food stamps reach those in need.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau commended Senator Ndume for the motion, stating that the Senate is open to addressing issues that would benefit all Nigerians.
