FG unveils N8bn food package for IDPs

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will today launch a multibillion naira provision and distribution of food grains for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday, said the quarterly special relief intervention plan cost about N8 billion “depending on current commodity prices.”

Akande said this was a major and significant move by the present administration to address the food crisis fallouts of the insurgency in the zone.

According to him, in a comprehensive effort to deal with the situation, about 1.8 million people will be reached regularly starting from today.

Akande said the Federal Government would work with the state governments to provide other forms of assistance including health services, education, resettlement and livelihood support.

He stated: “In all, about 40,000 metric tonnes comprising Rice, Maize, Sorghum and Soya beans grown locally by Nigerian farmers would be distributed. Under the distribution model, the Federal Government which is paying for the grains will be giving each family about 50kg of grains per month.

“One of the highlights of this new distribution plan is that it eliminates the undignified practice of long and often problematic queues, replacing it with door-to-door delivery to the IDPs using a preissued voucher-system that promotes transparency and accountability. The new plan is also expected to correct many of the lapses observed in delivering relief to the IDPS.

“The food will be distributed by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with State Emergency Management Agencies and developmental partners from the International Humanitarian agencies.

“Under the plan, the FG buys local grains from Nigerian farmers and the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Military including the Air Force, are actively involved providing essential and logistical support. The grains to be delivered quarterly would be transported mainly by road through 1032 trucks, while for locations difficult to reach; the Nigeria Air Force will provide air lift support.”