Kano urges business community to consider plight of residents

Concerned about the inflation following the relaxation of the imposed curfew in the state, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has convened an interactive meeting with the business community to find solutions to halt this troubling trend.

This was stated in a communiqué from the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Tofa, a copy of which was made available to The According on Thursday.

Speaking at the meeting, Yusuf reported that within hours of relaxing the curfew, the prices of basic commodities, especially staple foods, had skyrocketed to an unimaginable level.

He emphasised that the situation necessitates all stakeholders working together for effective control.

Yusuf called on 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.

“I want to draw your attention to the plight of the people, especially during this trying period of nationwide protests which have affected the economy,” Yusuf was quoted as saying.

He elaborated on 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 centre of Northern Nigeria.

The governor urged 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.

He 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 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, Muhuyi RiminGado, reported that the agency had received 156 complaints within the last two days regarding the soaring prices of basic commodities in the state.

“Within the last two days, we received no fewer than 156 complaints about the flagrant increase in prices of essential commodities,” he said.

He, however, pledged a collaborative working relationship with the business community to ensure stable business interactions in the state.