The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari has announced that about 1,200 (42,000 MT) trailers of food stuffs will be distributed to vulnerable Nigerians to cushion the current hardship in the country.
Senator Kyari stated this while speaking at the maiden ministerial press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in Abuja on Wednesday.
He asserted that food is available as can be seen in the markets but the high cost of has become a source of concern for government given its impact on the populace.
Noting the components of food security, which he said include demand, supply and affordability, Kyari said once one factor is derailed, it will impact on the others.
The Minister lamented that rather than the usual month of April and beyond when prices of foodstuff normally go higher in the country, government has noticed a jump already from January this year.
He assured that all efforts are being intensified to tackle the challenge including the planned release of 42,000 grains from the strategic reserves to be distributed free of charge to consumers through agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The Minister further noted that the government will source additional 60,000 metric ton of food from private farmers. He explained the government will identify farmers who have enough food stored in their silos for offtake and distribution to vulnerable Nigeria
Some rice and other commodity producers have huge storage silos and we are doing some background checks on what is available, that is not to say that farmers are going to produce the 60,000 grains, they have them in storage, so we are asking them to produce and handover for government to offtake.
We are still working out the modalities of how and where we will do that, as soon as that is done, we will roll out the complete programme.
Furthermore , the Minister admonished farmers engaged in hoarding of commodity to refrain from the act.
He said he has met with the security agencies and other agencies to ensure that the distribution of seamless and would not be hijacked by any person.
“Yesterday afternoon, I had meeting with a team from the Directorate of the State Security (DSS) in terms of the intelligence report they have in those areas where it is needed.
“I think these are areas where we have to look at. There is index where DSS and NEMA are using where we can target those areas it is needed, what we are talking about is 42,000 metric tons, by the time you look at it in terms of quantity, it is about N1,200 trailers of food.
“The intervention is apt and will be targeted at the needy, we are partnering with other agencies to ensure that this gets to the needy”, the Minister noted.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said Ministerial Press Briefing Series (MPBS) that are in line with ‘Restore Trust’ and ‘Amplify Policies and Programmes’ pillars.
He said it avails the journalists to hear first-hand about what the Federal Government is doing, policies, programs, targets and objectives, and will be able to ask questions and receive relevant clarifications.
We have also made efforts to ensure that this Briefing Series receives the widest possible coverage, through traditional and digital platforms.
He said the Ministry has crafted and is implementing an Agenda that is based on the following five pillars, in alignment with the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the pillars include Restore Trust, Amplify Policies and Programmes, Reorient National Values, Modernize Technology and Talent, Create an Enabling Environment for the Media.
