THE Federal Government has directed the release of 70,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items to vulnerable Nigerians, to help cushion the effect of the lockdown in some states.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, made this known at the official hand over of 12,500 metric tonnes of assorted food at the Minna Silo Complex in Niger.
He said the 12,500 metric tonnes of items released from the 25,000 metric tonnes capacity silo complex in Minna, comprised 10,000 metric tonnes of maize and 2,500 metric tonnes of garri.
This, according to him, is to officially launch release of the 70,000 metric tonnes of garri, maize, millet and sorghum from six silo complexes across the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of 70,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items to vulnerable Nigerians.
This is part of efforts to cushion the effect of the lockdown in some states of the federation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nanono, who handed the food items over to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, said it was in compliance with President Buhari’s approval.
He said, “Our mission here is to hand over about 12,500 metric tonnes of garri and maize. Maize 10,000 tonnes, garri 2500 tonnes.
“The logistics is purely NEMA affairs. Ours is to hand over to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. I assure you that by tomorrow NEMA would have to be here.
“Anybody that knows of garri knows that what we have here is high quality garri.”
“NEMA is in charge of the logistics to distribute these items to the population that is affected by the lockdown.
Dr Suleiman Haruna, the Director of Food and Strategic Reserve in the ministry of agriculture and rural development assured that the food items being released were in good shape.
He disclosed that the food items in the other silo complexes were equally ready for loading and distribution by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“We are releasing from the 25,000 metric tonnes silo complex here in Minna, 12,500 metric tonnes.
“As I am talking to you right now Gusau is loading ready to commence lifting. Also in Dutsin Ma, same operation is going on.
“We are also ready in Lafia. In total we have 70,000 metric tonnes. 12500 from Minna, Lafia 5000 metric tonnes of millet and 1500 metric tonnes of garri.
“In Dutsin-Ma Katsina State we will be moving 17,500 metric tonnes and out of this we have 12500 of maize and 5000 of Sorghum.
“In Adamawa also we have 12,500 metric tonnes of Maize and 5000 metric tonnes of Sorghum and finally in Ilesha we will be moving 1000 metric tonnes of garri.”