By Adadareporters
The planned distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to Nigerians to alleviate the current food shortages in the country is being delayed because of the bagging processes.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, stated this weekend. He said the bagging is taking place at seven strategic locations across the country, thus the delay.
He further revealed that the distribution would be carried out by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). He assured Nigerians that the free distribution would soon commence across the federation.
A number of 60,000 metric tonnes of rice will be provided by the federal government to Nigerians, he added.
Quoting him, “The Tinubu administration through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is in the final stages of releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to support the vulnerable population across the country.
“The grains in seven locations of strategic reserve are now being bagged for onward delivery to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The need to bag the grains, caused the delay as the bags were freshly ordered by the government.
“Nigerians will not need to pay for the grain bags, as they are free. This will be complemented by the 60,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to be purchased by the Federal Government from the Mega Rice Millers.
“Already, with the announcement of the impending releases of food commodities from the Strategic Reserve, there is a noticeable reduction in commodity prices across major grains markets in the country, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari.”
Our correspondent reports that the Ministery of Agriculture, on February 8, said the federal government would distribute millet, maize, and other food commodities to vulnerable Nigerians to lessen suffering.
