The African Youths Assembly for Peace (AYAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to make concerted efforts towards strengthening the value of naira and check the rising inflation.

Abdul-Aziz Yusuf, AYAP’s head of research and information, made the call on Wednesday in an interview in Abuja.

While expressing concern over the prevailing economic situation, Mr Yusuf stressed the need for the government to urgently check the rising cost of food items and other commodities in the country.

Mr Yusuf urged the government to ensure stringent measures by redirecting its monetary policies to stabilise the naira to tackle the exchange rate problem.

“Government must ensure immediate and effective policy implementation that would strengthen the naira and ensure a long-term economic sustainability plan because the situation at hand required concerted effort,” he said.

The AYAP scribe said the rising cost of living occasioned by the increase in food prices must be addressed by placing an embargo on food exports and sanctioning individuals involved in hoarding food items.

“It is unfortunate that some people are taking a dangerous step of hoarding this essential commodities like food items just to put more hardship on the citizenry.

“We are in an emergency situation, and unpatriotic citizens are bent on using the situation to inflict more hardship on the people. I believe the government should be strict in that aspect to sanction those people involved in the act.

“As far as I am concerned, hoarding food items at this critical time is a criminal act and should be treated as such,” Mr Yusuf said.

Mr Yusuf also called on governors to join efforts with the federal government to check the activities of food hoarders across the country.

Mr Tinubu had earlier directed the immediate release of 42,000 metric tons of maise, millet, garri and other commodities from the national reserve under the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention.

Information minister Mohammed Idris told journalists that the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria also committed to releasing about 60,000 metric tons of rice to the markets to ensure availability and affordability.

(NAN)