The Presidency has provided clarification on why the planned distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to Nigerians, aimed at alleviating the current food shortages in the country, has not yet been executed. 

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, cited ongoing bagging of grains at seven strategic locations across the country as the primary cause for the delay.

Onanuga added that the task of bagging the grains that will shortly be distributed to Nigerians in need has been assigned to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He said this in a statement issued on Friday, reiterating the assurance that Nigerians will soon receive free gains.

The presidential aide also said that 60,000 metric tonnes of rice will be provided by the federal government to Nigerians.

He said: “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.”  

The Nation reported that the Minister of Agriculture, on February 8, pledged that the federal government would distribute millet, maize, and other food commodities to vulnerable Nigerians to lessen suffering.

Source: The Nation