The Federal Government has commenced the release of 42,000 metric tonnes (MT) of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Food Reserve (NSFR) across the country to vulnerable Nigerians, to cushion the effect of the rising cost of food commodities.
The exercise was kicked-off at the Government House, Sokoto, Sokoto State last Sunday.
The 42,000MT of assorted food commodities, comprised of maize (23,600MT), sorghum (12,860 M), millet (3,700MT), and Garri (1,840MT).
The allocation delivered to Sokoto state comprises Maize 506.00MT, Sorghum (589.00MT), and Millet (216.20MT) and (44.01 trucks or 26,406 50kg bags).
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the distribution of grains was part of a comprehensive intervention programme of the Federal Government to cushion hardship in the land and revamp the Nigerian economy for sustainable development and prosperity for all citizens.
Idris said President Bola Tinubu was concerned about rising food prices and was determined to make essential food available and affordable for Nigerians, which explained why he approved the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, including sorghum, millet, and maize, and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice through millers.
Idris further said the Federal Government was under no illusion that Mr. President’s policy reform would be without some transitional pains, adding there was sustained confidence that, in the long run, the end would justify the means.
“The government calls for continued patience and understanding from Nigerians as we push through these difficult times into a season of abundant benefits and truly renewed Hope.
“As the President never fails to emphasise, these headwinds we face are only temporary, and we will surely overcome them,” he said.
He listed the marked reduction of petrol importation to 50 percent monthly, the stabilised foreign exchange with the naira waxing stronger daily, and the recent launch of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), which aims to raise about N20 trillion for investment in critical sectors of the economy as early wins.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the President was desirous of cushioning the effect of the rising cost of food commodities by ensuring a sustained buffer stock, as provided by the Nigeria Food Storage Policy.
He explained that the National Strategic Food Reserve was expected to keep only five percent of total annual food production, while 10 percent was expected to be kept by state governments as a buffer stock to complement the National Reserve, adding the buffer stock programme has, however, remained non-existent in most states of the Federation and had continued to exert avoidable pressure on the Federal Government National Strategic Food Reserve stock.
“Therefore, I want to encourage all the state governments to begin activating the buffer stock in their various states so that in cases of emergency and future food interventions like this, they will have stocks that complement the Federal Government’s efforts,” Idris said.
