FCCPC concludes survey, blames food costs on insecurity, fuel subsidy
By Chibuzo Ihegboro
According to a survey conducted by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, traders in major food markets in the country have blamed insecurity and fuel subsidy removal for the rising food prices in the country.
The move, according to FCCPC, was aimed at finding the major reason for the constant hike in the prices of food items in the country in a bid to advise the government on the best policy to tackle the issue.
The FCCPC noted that it had been conducting fact-finding interactions with traders’ associations and marketers to ascertain factors responsible for the continuous hike in food prices.
Speaking during a tour of some major markets in Lagos State, including Mile 12 International Market, Ketu, and Ilepo Market, on Wednesday, the Head of FCCPC in the state, Mrs Sussie Onwuka, explained that the exercise was a fact-finding mission.
She added that there had been constant complaints by Nigerians about the constant hike in the prices of food commodities in the market, adding that the government was concerned.
“And because of our mandate to protect the consumer and to also advise the government, we have to conduct an investigation and come up with a report that would help the government put good policies in place, so we have to come out to the source and talk to the market executives,” Onwuka said.
She noted that the commission had talked with market people to find out what the real reason for the constant hike was and put up a report.
Traders, major complaint was the insecurity in the country.
“From what the people we have spoken to said, the major complaint is the insecurity in the country. The farmers can’t go to the farm; fuel scarcity has made the cost of transportation go up, and the costs are added to the cost of the goods.
“And they complained about rain affecting grain. There are many reasons attached to the constant hike in the prices of food commodities,” she asserted.
