Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has vowed to resist any attempt or threats by business operators to close any food market over instability in the price of commodities.
The commission warned dealers caught hoarding food items in the city will face dire consequences if they do not desist from the act that is capable of worsening the difficult food inflation.
The agency’s warning came barely 24 hours after the Singer Market Traders Association threatened to shut down the entire section of the market.
The market union who lamented undue pressure on its members from the government and the public over the hyper cost of food items and provisions, said they would rather prefer to keep their goods deposited in stores.
Reacting to the development, Rimin-Gado reminded that the business community has no authority to needlessly embark on action that could trigger more hunger and frustration in the state.
He declared that the government has the responsibility to ensure law and order in society, adding that the commission will not hesitate to break any odd that will inflict more hardship on the masses.
The Chairman equally hinted that an intelligent mechanism is being activated to unveil the nefarious act of sabotage in the market especially among those creating artificial scarcity through hoarding food items in the state.
He said the commission is embarking on general inspection to clampdown on warehouses where essential food items were being hoarded, adding that those found culpable would arrested and prosecuted.
He urged members of the public to furnish the commission with relevant information on the development.
“We are under pressure to intervene on the economy situation in the country especially the high prize of foods in Kano,” Rimin-Gado said.
“There is really hunger in the land but we are much concern on traders that are worsening the already bad situation.
“We know the exchange rate of foreign currency is a concern but we have our local challenge. Some unpatriotic elements are ready to compound the situation through corruption means. We would not fold our arms.
We would act decisively. We would break any store where food items are hoarding. We would arrest the owner and charge such person to court.”
