The Katsina State Government has issued an executive order aimed at curbing illegal food hoarding and ensuring consistent access to essential commodities for residents in the state.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda signed the Food Security (Promotion) Order on Friday, outlining strict measures against hoarding activities.
The order defines staple grains like rice, millet, maize, sorghum, cowpeas, and groundnuts as protected commodities, with hoarding punishable by prosecution and confiscation.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Katsina Governor, disclosed this in a press statement on Friday.
As contained in the press release, henceforth, violators of the executive order are to face prosecution under Section 114 of the Penal Code Law.
In addition, the place used for the hoarding of the commodity shall, by a warrant issued by the court, be liable to be broken into, and the commodity shall be sold to the public at a controlled price with the proceeds treated per the prevailing laws on the proceeds of crime.
To ensure effective enforcement, the order establishes a dedicated task force saddled with the responsibility of identifying food commodity hoarders and engaging with stakeholders on food prices in the state. The task force is also empowered to arrest and prosecute violators of the order, in collaboration with security agencies and to control the buying and transport of food commodities within and outside the state, including international borders.
The governor, according to the statement, emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiative, saying: “We call upon all citizens, traders, and stakeholders to join us in this fight against food insecurity. By working together, we can ensure that everyone in Katsina has access to the food they need.”
