FG’s Decision To Float National Commodity Board Laudable, But… - LCCI

Kemisola Oye

THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said that the decision by the federal government to establish a National Commodity Board aimed at regulating the rising food prices in the country but that the initiative may only address immediate concerns, as it is fraught with the risk of market distortion if not implemented carefully.

LCCI, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Chinyere Almona FCA, observed that the initiative is coming at a critical juncture when the rising cost of food has become a pressing concern for both the government and citizens, where food inflation has reached an alarming level, as highlighted by the National Bureau of Statistics data placing Nigeria’s food inflation at 33.9 percent as at January 15, 2024.

LCCI emphasized that the proposed commodity board has the potential to bring stability to food prices by continually assessing and regulating them. This, it stressed, could alleviate the burden on consumers and enhance overall economic predictability and the creation of a strategic food reserve for stabilizing prices of crucial grains and other food items, is a positive step toward ensuring food security and mitigating the impact of supply chain disruptions.

“The Chamber views this initiative as the government’s commitment to implementing effective short-term strategies to counteract subsidy removal and ensure immediate food supply and to deploying concessionary capital from the Central Bank of Nigeria to the agricultural sector, especially toward fertilizers, processing, mechanization, and other key aspects, as a positive move that can enhance the overall productivity of the agricultural value chain”.

The Chamber however notes that price regulation may address immediate concerns, but there is a risk of market distortion if not implemented carefully.

“Over-regulation may discourage private sector participation and hinder market dynamics which is against business community growth. More so, this plan may largely involve complex logistics that will require robust systems and processes to ensure the board’s effectiveness without bureaucratic bottlenecks.”

Considering this development, the LCCI offers its insights and recommendations on the best strategies the federal government should adopt for the successful implementation of the National Commodity Board.

The Chamber emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach that combines short-term interventions with medium-term strategies to ensure sustained and effective results.

The Chamber recommends among other things that:

The distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households should be prioritized to counteract the immediate effects of subsidy removal on food prices.
Foster collaboration between the ministries of agriculture and water resources to ensure efficient farmland irrigation, promote year-round food production, and reduce dependence on seasonal variations.
Expedite the establishment of the National Commodity Board to assess and regulate food prices. This board should also be mandated to maintain a strategic food reserve to stabilize the prices of crucial grains and other food items.
Actively engage the youth population by making agriculture an attractive and viable option. This can be achieved by creating 5 to 10 million jobs within the agriculture value chain, aligning with the government’s commitment to job creation.
It is imperative that the private sector, including farmers and other stakeholders, is actively involved in the decision-making processes and implementation of the commodity board to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness.

“The rising cost of food is a critical issue that requires immediate attention and sustained effort. The LCCI stands ready to collaborate with the government in implementing these strategies to achieve the shared goal of ensuring food security and stabilizing prices for the benefit of all Nigerians”, the Chamber concluded.

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