By Abdullahi Yusuf
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano has summoned an interactive meeting with the business community to find ways to tackle the inflation that trailed the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state.
A statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday said during the meeting that was held at the Government House, the Governor lamented that within hours of relaxing the curfew prices of basic commodities, especially foodstuff, had “skyrocketed to an unimaginable level.”
He said the situation had made it imperative for all stakeholders to work together to effectively control the trend.
According to the statement,the governor urged the business community to consider the plight of the people, “particularly during this trying time of nationwide protests that have affected the economy of thousands of households.”
He highlighted the state government’s initiatives in providing various empowerment programmes, palliatives and other economic policies aimed at reviving Kano’s commercial buoyancy and maintaining its position as the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria.
He also urged the businessmen to unite and revive the moribund industries across the state.
Yusuf proposed the establishment of a Price Control Board with the cooperation of the business community,to address the artificial inflation created by unscrupulous traders.
He assured the business community of his readiness to arrange an interactive engagement with the parliamentarians from the state to create a forum for supporting businesses and industries in the state.
He encouraged them to ensure sanitation and security in markets and to conduct their businesses in line with modern practices, assuring them of government’s support in elevating the state to greater heights.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhuyi Rimin-Gado, said the agency had received 156 complaints within the last two days regarding increase in prices of basic commodities in the state.
Rimin-Gado pledged to collaborate with the business community to ensure “stable business interactions in the state.”