Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, affirms the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that grains released from food reserves reach impoverished Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu had directed the immediate release of 42,000 metric tons of assorted food items on February 8, as a short-term response to the country’s escalating food shortage.
Kyari, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, outlined collaborative efforts with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to determine the recipients and locations for distributing these food items.
The press conference was organized by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation.
“On our first federal executive council meeting, we were given the eight-point agenda of Mr President which includes food security; poverty reduction and economic growth; job creation, access to capital; inclusivity of women and youth; of course, the rest is fight against corruption and insecurity,” Kyari said.
“When the eight-point agenda was rolled out, we at the ministry of agriculture and food security came out with our blueprint where we spelt out the immediate, short-term, medium, and long-term plans.
“Currently, we have 53,000 metric tons of grain in our reserves. We have requested to release 42,000 metric tons for a very good reason. We need the 11,000 metric tons for any eventuality or any unforeseen disaster.
“So, the 42,000 tons is in the process of being released and we are waiting for indexes, and we have already started talking and working with NEMA to see that it gets to where it needs to be.
“We are trying to crash down the prices of food, and we are also trying to make it available. So, these 42,000 metric tons of grains will come out to the needy free of charge. So that will go to the needy at no cost at all.
“We have met with NEMA, the DSS, to give us the index; these are who gather the intelligence report on where it is needed the most.”
