The traditional ruler of Isolo in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, has called on both the federal and state governments to reintroduce price control system in the country, particularly on food items.
The traditional ruler, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, wondered why there had not been stabilisation in the prices of goods.
He explained that a situation where the prices of food items were not substantially stable, the poor in the society would not find it easy to feed adequately.
According to him, because the larger populace is not being taken care of is the reason why the country is experiencing high rate of crime.
“Hunger is high in the land; people cannot eat three times a day. Sometimes, this is the situation that force our youths to travel out and become slaves in strange lands.
“Many private companies have closed down because of the perpetual blackout being experienced daily,’’ the traditional said.
On education, the monarch blamed the Federal Government for the proliferation of private universities against government-owned universities, noting that this had contributed immensely to the falling standard of education.
On agriculture, the monarch, a well-known socialite, said that government could only guarantee food sufficiency by enabling farmers with funds and implements to mass produce food.
“There should be credit facilities by the government where peasant farmers and even the big farmers could access funds to farm.
“Government should also ensure that it provides implements, fertilisers, high yield seedlings and other inputs that will enhance agricultural production.
“By so doing, it will guarantee enough food for local consumption, for exports and also create employment and ultimately fight crime,’’ the Secretary, Council of Obas in Lagos State said. (NAN)
ENN/PDE