Hardship: FG releases 42,000mt of grains to ease food crisis

Published

3 months ago

February 15, 2024

Hardship: FG releases 42,000mt of grains to ease food crisis

The federal government’s efforts to end the food crisis accelerated on Monday.

To alleviate the high cost of food, it directed the immediate release and distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of cereals from strategic stocks.

According to the federal government, the grains would be distributed to the needy and disadvantaged throughout the country at no cost.

In addition, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with the Rice Millers Association in Abuja to discuss ways to make the essential grain more affordable.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stated that the proposed commodities boards will assume care of the food supply chain

He also spoke on the challenges of food security at the maiden Ministerial Press Briefing Series (MPBS) initiated by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris in Abuja.

Also yesterday, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun announced N5 billion intervention fund to tackle rising food inflation.

Kyari said: “We are aware that food security is national security. We are trying to crash the prices of foods to make these available and affordable.

“The Federal Government is in the process of releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of grains from the nation’s strategic reserve.

“Our interventions will be targeted at the needy in all parts of the country.”

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Giving the breakdown of the distribution, Kyari said 1,200 trailers of food, which is an equivalent of 42,000mt, would be distributed through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He said the ministry was still working out the modalities for the distribution, which will involve the State Security Service (SSS).

He added: “We have met with NEMA and the SSS to give us the index on where it is necessary based on intelligence report. We want to target those areas where vulnerable Nigerians are.

“The intervention is apt and will be targeted at the needy. We are partnering with other agencies to ensure that this food intervention gets to the needy.

“Food is available as can be seen in the markets but the high cost has become a source of concern for government given its impact on the populace.”

The minister highlighted the components of food security, including demand, supply and affordability.

He said: “Once one factor is derailed, it will impact on the others.”

Kyari also unfolded immediate plans for the agriculture sector.

He said: “We have a lot of sources we can impact on farmers to boost food production in the country.

“There will be recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture. Already, there is a provision for the National Agriculture Fund.

“We have also given the go-ahead to further subsidise fertilisers. We intend to do a comprehensive data capture of farmers. We are also trying to capture the geo-locations of farms.

“We want to do this because a lot of the data was not verified. There were non-farmers and political farmers in our database.”

On the involvement of the governors, Kyari said: “I have seen a lot of commitment to food security from the present crop of governors.”

On plans to establish commodity boards, Kyari said: “I am in support because these boards will take charge of what is needed for the country.

“What we need is that we must secure the country first before any surplus is exported.”

Information Minister Idris described the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as critical to the economy.

Hardship: FG releases 42,000mt of grains to ease food crisis

Breaking: Court stops Amaewhule-led 27 Rivers Assembly members from sitting

Published

10 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Martins Amaewhule

Breaking: Court stops Amaewhule-led 27 Rivers Assembly members from sitting

The state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has barred the 27 lawmakers led by speaker, Martins Amaewhule from further sitting as members of the state House of Assembly.

The suit listed 25 lawmakers as 1st to 25th defendants and the governor of Rivers State, the Attorney-General, and the Chief Judge of the state as 26th to 28th defendants.

Ruling on a motion ex-parte, a copy of which was dated May 10 and obtained in Port Harcourt, the court also stopped the governor, the attorney-general, and the Chief Judge from interacting with the affected lawmakers.

The order specifically asked the lawmakers to stop parading themselves as members of the House of Assembly or conducting any legislative business as members of the House.

The court also ordered them to stop sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters located along Aba Road or any other place whatsoever to conduct business as members of the House of Assembly.

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The court said: “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and or meeting sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“Another interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolution, bills and or however interacting with the 1st to 25th defendants in the purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December 2023 pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.”

The court further directed that the order, the motion on notice, and other processes on the 1st to 25th defendants be within seven days by substituted means.

The court adjourned to the 29th of May for the motion on notice.

The lawmakers affected by the order are Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Okpara, Enemi George, Granville Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, John Iderema, Queen Uwuma Williams, Loolo Opuende, Abbey Peter, Igwe Aforji, Justina Emeji, Ignatius Onwuka, Chimzie Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Barile Nwakoh, Emilia Amadi, Nkemjika Ezekwe, David Okobiriari, Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforji and Wami Solomon.

Breaking: Court stops Amaewhule-led 27 Rivers Assembly members from sitting

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JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

Published

11 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

Some armed policemen have taken over all the two entrances to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were reportedly safeguarded by about 30 police with many patrol vans used to block the entrances.

The development came shortly after the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly claimed that the state governor was planning to demolish the quarters following his recent surprise visit to the facility.

But the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had explained that his visit to the estate on Thursday was harmless.

The governor said, “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?

“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”

It was learnt that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till daybreak.

Armed policemen were seen barricading the gates on Friday to secure the facility.

Meanwhile, the Sim Media Volunteers (SMV) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observed the rules of engagement.

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The convener of the group, Frank Kilsi, decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy.

Kilsi, who spoke in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said, “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restrain by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.”

Kilsi appreciated the overwhelming support of Rivers people for Fubara and their decision to stand firm in defence of democracy despite challenges.

He said, “We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.

“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.

“To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”.

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Kilsi applauded the leadership of Fubara, commending his efforts to improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N12bn to N27bn within a year of his administration.

He said this had singled him out amongst his contemporaries as he highlighted other developmental successes in human capital development, quality Infrastructure delivery, provision of the functional healthcare system, revamping of the educational sector, job creation, security and welfare of citizens.

Kilsi backed the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and Leader, Sokari Goodboy describing their emergence as a welcome development in the journey to liberate Rivers from the bondage.

He said, “Indeed, true redemption has begun in Rivers State and we shall stand firm as youths of our dear state to support the new leadership of the House and the indefatigable governor of Rivers State.

“We are indeed gladdened by the news of our Leader and Governor of Rivers State rolling out drums to celebrate his one year in office beginning with the commissioning of projects on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

Source: The Nation

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BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

Published

12 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona

BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale

President Bola Tinubu has conferred the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria (GCON) on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.

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The president was represented by his Vice, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, for a book presentation on “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria”, as part of activities marking his 64th coronation as a Paramount ruler and 90th birthday.

The President described Awujale as an extraordinary royal father and hero of Nigeria’s democracy who is adored all over the country for his sincerity of purpose and courage in the face of any adversity threatening national development.

The ceremony also featured the inauguration of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.