Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved the establishment of a 27-member committee to enforce a ban on hoarding of food items and rent-seeking in the state.

This is contained in a statement by Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, the spokesperson for the Secretary to the State Government, in Katsina on Sunday.

The Katsina government recently outlawed hoarding of food items and other essential commodities in the state.

According to him, the task force is mandated to ensure strict compliance with the extant Food Security Promotion Order and identify individuals engaged in hoarding grains.

Mr Aliyu-Yar’Adua said the committee would also engage stakeholders in commodity pricing and arrest and prosecute those found to be involved in hoarding.

He said the committee would be chaired by the chief of staff, Government House, Jabiru Tsauri, while the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fadila Dikko, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, and Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs,  Nasiru Danmusa, would serve as members.

Other committee members include representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, paramilitary organisations, community and religious leaders, and grains sellers/dealers’ associations, among others.

He said the committee is expected to be inaugurated by the governor on February 21. 

(NAN)