Reports indicate that grains are yet to be released to Nigerians two weeks after President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, and other commodities from the national strategic reserve for free distribution.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, had announced that the grains would be distributed free to poor Nigerians through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). However, as of yesterday, February 21, the grains had not been made available for distribution in Kano, Kwara, Taraba, Gombe, Ogun, and several other states.
Authorities attribute the delay to data authentication and the need to avoid mistakes made during previous distribution of palliatives. They emphasize the importance of ensuring the grains reach the intended beneficiaries and not fall into the wrong hands.
Despite claims by government officials, sources suggest there may not be enough grain reserves in the country. Some advocate for the importation of grains to address food shortages in the interim, while others call for providing security and incentives for farmers ahead of the next cropping season.
Nigeria has 33 silos with a total capacity of 1.3 million metric tons for its Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) system, but about 19 of these silos were concessioned to the private sector for a number of years. The ministry has not provided details of the available grains in the national strategic reserve silos, citing national security concerns.
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