By Abba -Eku Onyeka, Abuja
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South, has urged the Federal Government to adopt food vouchers as a more effective way to address hunger and poverty among Nigerians. This approach, he believes, will help curb the mismanagement of billions of Naira allocated for palliatives each year.
Senator Ibrahim, who chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, proposed this solution during an interactive session with journalists covering the Senate on Wednesday. He emphasized that food vouchers would not only help alleviate hunger but also address food insecurity and bridge the gap between cash and GDP ratio.
According to Ibrahim, the food voucher initiative would be more effective than the current cash transfer program, as it would ensure that aid reaches the intended beneficiaries directly. He suggested that the vouchers could be funded by collapsing existing palliative accounts, which would reduce corruption and mismanagement associated with these programs.
Ibrahim’s proposal comes amid concerns about the country’s economic slowdown, which has led to increased poverty and hunger. The senator believes that the food voucher initiative would have a significant impact on low-income households, enabling them to access essential food items and regain stability.
The idea of introducing food vouchers has been previously discussed, with some experts suggesting that it could help stabilize the naira, reduce inflation, and remove 20 million Nigerians suffering from hunger and food insecurity.
While the proposal has its advantages, some critics have raised concerns about the potential for inflation and the challenges of implementing and sustaining such a program. Nevertheless, Senator Ibrahim’s suggestion has sparked a crucial conversation about the need for innovative solutions to address Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.
