The Honourable Member, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Benue State, in the House of Representatives, Dr Francis Ottah Agbo, has called on the Federal Government, as well as the 36 state governments to immediately set up price control units to check astronomical increases in prices of goods and services.

The Spokesman of the Minority Caucus in the Green Chamber lamented that traders have capitalised on the Covid-19 pandemic-induced nationwide lockdown to exploit the long suffering Nigerian masses.

When set up, he said, the units should be empowered to constitute and coordinate task forces that will “move from markets to markets, move from shops and malls to malls across the country to checkmate exploitative traders and businessmen.”

The journalist-turned-politician said similar price control task forces had worked in 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 that subjecting them to further hardship would send many Nigerians to early grave.

Dr. Agbo, who is 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 state governors to do the needful.

The Ozigizaga of Enone Politics however expressed confidence that Nigeria will emerge stronger from the ashes of Covid-19.

He also called on his constituents to cooperate with the Benue State Government, health practitioners, and observe all the safety precautions in the fight against Coronavirus.

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