The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has expressed worry over food scarcity and the high cost of living in the country.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume stated that the problem continues to escalate due to the federal government’s inability to address the issue.

He noted that this has become a challenge as some ministers are unable to meet with President Bola Tinubu for discussions.

“The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies,” he said

Ndume made this known after he and his colleague sponsored a motion to address the food crisis in Nigeria.

They argued that the World Food Programme has warned that 82 million Nigerians are likely to face food insecurity in the next five years.

The senator said the reason behind the motion was to alert the government on the severity of the food crisis affecting Nigerians. He added that if President Tinubu-led administration fails to take action, the country will plunge into famine and starvation, including children.

“We want to draw the government’s attention to the fact that Nigeria is not only facing a high cost of living but also food scarcity. We want the President to intervene in the issue of high cost of living and food scarcity.

“We have seen how it happened in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, and we are starting to see it in Nigeria,” Senator Ndume added.

“What we want the government to do is to sit with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. We are urging the government to take action, lest they forget that Nigeria is grappling with both soaring prices and a severe food shortage. We fear that a day may come when even if someone has the financial means to purchase food, they will go to the market and find none available.” he said