The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that each state governor has been allocated an extra N30 billion to address the challenges of food scarcity and hardships confronting Nigerians.

Akpabio said each state should properly utilize the money towards ensuring the availability of food.

Speaking on the floor of the senate, Akpabio said: “I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state government in the last few months received additional N30 billion from Federal Inland Revenue Service, outside their normal allocation from the federation account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation.

“We believe that every state government should utilise the funds so received towards ensuring that food is available.”

The current economic hardship has led to a hike in the prices of foodstuffs across the country.

The shortage of foodstuffs was also linked to the hoarding by some people and illegal smuggling to neighbouring countries.

Recall that Vice President Kashim Shettima had disclosed how security operatives discovered 32 illegal routes being used to smuggle foodstuffs and other items to neighbouring countries from Nigeria.

Shettima said security agents intercepted 45 trucks smuggling maize to neighbouring countries.

He noted that the price of “maize” came down by N10,000. The price of maize allegedly came down from N60,000 to N50,000″ when the trucks were intercepted.