TheCable

Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, says the federal government will ensure that grains released from the food reserves reach poor Nigerians.

On February 8, President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate release of 42,000 metric tons of assorted food items from the strategic reserves and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria as a short-term response to the rising food shortage in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Kyari said the ministry of agriculture is working together with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to get the index of people and places the food items would be distributed to.

The press conference was organised 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.”

The minister said the country has about 70 million hectares of arable land but only half of it is currently utilised.

He said the federal government is making plans to provide equipment to clear more land for farming in the country.

‘MPBS WILL INFORM NIGERIANS ABOUT GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES’

Speaking earlier at the press conference titled “Ministerial press briefing series (MPBS), the minister of information and national orientation said he would be inviting his colleagues to tell Nigerians about their activities.

The minister said the MPBS is in line with the mandate of his office to manage and enhance the image and reputation of the people and government of Nigeria through a dynamic public information system.

Idris said the series would help to restore trust and amplify policies and programmes of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He also said the MPBS would afford journalists the opportunity to engage with senior officials of the federal government on behalf of Nigerians.

“Our objective here is to enlighten, inform and educate Nigerians and the world, and to ensure that everyone is carried along through the provision of credible and timely information,” Idris said.

“This is the first in the series, there will be many more of this briefing that will take place, periodically, in the months and years ahead.

“We will continue to strive to refine and to improve our engagement with you, the members of the fourth estate of the realm, and with the Nigerian people.”