National Assembly Members Meet Agric Ministers On Way Out of Food Crisis
$500m food security programme debuts in Kwara
The National Assembly through its joint Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, yesterday, met with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari and his Minister of State, Sabi Abdullahi, on urgent solution to food inflation bedeviling the country.
This was just as it emerged that a six-year new $500 million food security programme supported by the World Bank and the federal government has been designed for the people of Kwara State.
The Joint Committee Chaired by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC Kwara Central), at the meeting with the ministers interrogated him on plans being put in place to arrest the high cost of food prices in the country and making it affordable and available to the poor masses.
Kyari, said the federal government has the commenced distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to some focal points of state capitals nationwide.
“We have received directive and approval from Mr. President to distribute for immediate impact 42,000 metric tons of assorted grains free of charge to the Nigerian population.
"This was received mid-February, as we are speaking, we have a record of the distribution being carried out, but I will want to plead with the honorable House and distinguished Senators that some of the movements can't be made public but a lot of states have started receiving their grains.
“We are distributing to State capitals in the first instance as you all are aware the risk involved in the vandalisation of foodstuff so we are working with the office of the National Security Adviser and other national security agencies.
"Furthermore, 58,500 metric tons of milled rice from mega rice millers will also be released into the market for stabilisation," he said.
He explained further that actions being taken became necessary in other to cushion impacts of hardship on Nigerians which he said would soon become a thing of the past.
For security purposes, he informed the committee members that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was currently working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and other national security outfits to address issues on vandalisation food warehouses across the country.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the interactive session, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Saliu Mustapha, expressed satisfaction with the steps being taken by the federal government.
He said, "From our interactive session, we on the other side of the parliament, we are fully in the picture of what is happening, we are convinced that the steps being taken by the federal government is in the right direction.
"All we did again is to further emphasise the need for certain things to be done on time, I think from this collaborative approach by the grace of God, Nigerians will have a better feel of the government policy on food security."
Meanwhile, a six-year new $500 million food security programme supported by the World Bank and the federal government has been designed for the people of Kwara State.
The new agriculture project would be Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) and would provide platforms for livestock value chain production and commercialisation in the state.
Speaking at the flag- off of the programme in Ilorin yesterday, the State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said that, "the present administration has invested in the development of the livestock sector to maximise its potential, particularly in beef and dairy production."
He said, "Kwara has a comparative advantage in all areas of livestock production, particularly in beef and dairy production.
"It serves as forms of income and wealth for families to better access financial services. It is a major form of financial instrument to families, especially now that we are talking about financial inclusion, improvement in standard of living, and improving our GDP in the state.
Continues online