Federal Government on Monday commenced the distribution of 11,500 metric tonnes food relief to families affected by floods in some states of the federation.

The release of food relief, which the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, started in Ibadan on Monday would be replicated in 10 silo locations in the country.

The Minister, on the occasion, said the Federal Government’s effort was aimed at mitigating the effect of the flood disaster on families and farmers in some states.

Adesina said, “The situation with the flood presents a huge challenge on food security in many parts of the country, including Oyo State. Farmlands have been washed away, farmers have been displaced and their food security has been compromised.”

“We will not have a food crisis. We will recover from the flood. Mr. President has visited several parts of the affected states. His leadership, pro-activeness and empathy have been a great encouragement for all.”

He said the Federal Government approved the sum of N17.6bn for the affected states to address the immediate challenges of displaced families on food, sanitation, health and housing. He added that the government further put in place emergency measures that would reduce the impact of the flood on displaced farmers and allow them get back on their feet.

He said the government had put in place a National Flood Recovery Food Plan first as part of the four- prong agenda.

He said, “Ibadan is one of the epicentres for the food relief effort to many states of the federation. The Federal Government is delivering, free of charge to Oyo State, a total of 1,500mertic tonnes of food (50 trucks).

“A total of 11,500 metric tonnes of food will be trucked out in Ibadan and Akure to provide Federal Government food relief for states.”

He said Anambra would get as 1,500 metric tonnes (50 trucks), 1,200 (40 trucks) would be given to Lagos, Bauchi and Imo, while Ondo, Abia and Ogun would get 900. Osun, Ekiti and Enugu would be given 750 tonnes.

Commissioner for Agriculture in Oyo, Peter Odetomi, who represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the occasion, commended the Federal Government’s initiative.

Meanwhile, victims in eight contiguous states in the South-South and South-East got some reprieve as the Federal Government released relief materials from the 25,000-metric-tonne strategic grains reserve silo in Okuku, Cross River State.

Adesina said the exercise was part of the Federal Government’s resolve to distribute a total of 40,000 metric tonnes of food items from the strategic grain reserve silos across the country to the affected people.

The minister, who was represented by the South-South Regional Director of the ministry, Mr. Martins Odey, said the items included maize, sorghum, garri, assorted grains and millet.

 

Posted by admin on Nov 20 2012. Filed under Latest Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry