By Rabiu Sanusi
Concerned by the inflation following the relaxation of the imposed curfew in the state, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has convened an interactive meeting with the business community to find solutions to halt this troubling trend.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the meeting held at the Ante Chamber, Government House, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reported that within hours of relaxing the curfew, the prices of basic commodities, especially staple foods, had skyrocketed to an unimaginable level.
He emphasized that this situation necessitates all stakeholders to work together for effective control.
Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf made a clarion call to 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 elaborated on the state government’s initiatives in providing various empowerment programs, palliatives, and other economic policies aimed at reviving Kano’s commercial buoyancy and maintaining its position as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria.
The Governor urged the businessmen to unite and revive the moribund industries across the state, proposing the establishment of a Price Control Board with their cooperation to address the artificial inflation created by unscrupulous traders for selfish interests.
Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf assured the business community of his readiness to arrange an interactive engagement with the parliamentarians from the state to create a forum supporting businesses and industries in Kano.
He encouraged them to ensure sanitation and security in markets and to conduct their businesses in line with modern practices, assuring them of the Kano State 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), Barrister Muhuyi Magaji RiminGado, reported that the agency had received 156 complaints within the last two days regarding skyrocketing prices of basic commodities in the state.
He pledged a collaborative working relationship with the business community to ensure stable business interactions in the state.