Acting Nigerian President Yemi Osinbajo,  on Wednesday February 1, 2017 constituted a Presidential Task Force on Food Security . Contrary to circulating reports, the work of the Task Force is NOT to fix the prices of food items.

They have been mandated to explore and recommend means of urgently resolving some of the bottlenecks and challenges contributing to the increase in food prices across the country. . Some of these bottlenecks revolve around transportation and preservation processes.

Reports say even with credible reports of bumper harvests in parts of the country, transportation and preservation issues have combined to ensure that surpluses are stranded away from where they are needed, and lost to spoilage. These scenarios ensure that the price of produce remains high in many parts of the country.

The Task Force which  has seven days to report back to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with recommendations and a Plan of Action has an  overall task of ensuring smooth and steady flow of produce from farms to markets.

 The Members of the Task Force include the:  Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun

Minister of Industry, Trade & Development, Dr. Okey Enelamah

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi

Minister for Water Resources,  Suleiman Adamu

Minister of Labour & Employment,  Chris Ngige

Representative from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and Representative from Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable -Development Goals (SDGs).