Food Crisis: FG Releases More
Grains
The
Nigeria Government has intensified the release of grains from
the strategic grain reserve, a move aimed at mitigating the
rising food prices.
To this end, the Federal Capital Territory Administration will
next week commence the release of more than 30 trucks of grains
to the public.
The Minister of FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, who disclosed this, said
that the strategy would force down the prices of food stuff in
the territory and put smiles on the faces of the common man that
was worst hit by the effects of skyrocketing food prices.
Modibbo, who made this disclosure in Abuja, the nation’s capital
stated that about 30 trucks of grains had been allocated by the
Federal Government to the FCT with 50 per cent subsidy.
On March 6, Nigeria opened its strategic grains reserves to halt
rising prices of food, occasioned by drought in the northern
states.
The measure has helped reduce inflation from eight per cent to
7.8 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Modibbo said, “The reserved grains will be released to the
general public within one week to enable residents have a sigh
of relief because President Umaru Yar’Adua is more than ever
committed to providing food at affordable cost to all
Nigerians.”
“Ongoing Efforts”
The minister revealed that the FCT administration was already
working on a viable policy to increase food production in
territory, “because we have all it takes to feed all the FCT
residents and even export the excess to the other parts of the
country.”
According to him, a committee will soon be set up to
transparently monitor the grains distribution so that they get
to the common people.
He said the six area councils of the FCT would be used in the
distribution process since they were closer to the grassroots.
Modibbo further disclosed that the FCT exco had directed the
Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji
Mustapha Bala Batsari to immediately meet with the FCT chapter
of the National Farmers Association to further enhance food
production in the territory.
The minister reiterated that no stone would be left unturned to
provide food and shelter to all residents of the territory;
noting that “a hungry man is an angry man.”
NP/MICHAEL
