The member of the House of Representatives for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, Dr Francis Ottah Agbo, has called on the Federal and 36 State Governments to immediately set up Price Control Units to check hikes in prices of goods and services.
The spokesman of the Minority Caucus in the Green Chamber lamented that traders had capitalised on the the lock down to exploit suffering Nigerians. .
When set up, he said the units should be empowered to constitute and coordinate task forces that will “move from market to market, move from shops and malls to mall across the country to checkmate exploitative traders and businessmen.
The lawmaker said similar Price Control Task Forces had worked in the post-Civil War Nigeria, and expressed confidence that as “Nigeria slips into a recession, Price Control Units are critical to the practical management of Nigeria’s economy…”
While stressing that Nigerians, especially the masses are already bleeding economically, the lawmaker said, subjecting them to further hardship will send many Nigerians to early grave.
Dr. Agbo, the House Committee Chairman on Narcotic Drugs, also hinted that he had already taken up the matter with the leadership of the National Assembly. He assured his constituents that the leadership will actuate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governors to do the needful.
He, however, expressed confidence that Nigeria will emerge stronger from the ashes of the invading code Covid 19.
He called on his constituents to cooperate with the Benue State Government, health practitioners, and observe all the safety precautions in the fight against Corona Virus.