The National Emergency Management Agency, has handed over the Federal Government approved grains to Benue State Government for onward delivery to vulnerable people in the state.
The agency’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, said the distribution was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to reduce the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced in the country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.
According to the DG represented by the Zonal Director, North Central, Mr. Bashiru Garega, the items allocated to the state include 17,940 bags of 50kg maize and 4,324 bags of 25kg of garri.
Garega said the President approved the release of 42,000MT of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security which include maize, millet, sorghum and garri.
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The zonal director directed that the commodities be handled by constituted committees in each local government area made up of the chairman of the LG, State Emergency Management Agency, a traditional ruler, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, faith-based organisations, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Nigerian Red Cross Society, women associations, Persons With Disability Groups, youth associations, principals of boarding schools, and the media.
He said, ‘”The above food items will be shared equally to all the LGAs in the State. Also, based on the directives of Mr President, 20% of the food items due for each LGA should be given to religious organizations (JNI & CAN) and 3% to be given to boarding schools in the LGAs”.
Appreciating the Federal Government, the acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu, while receiving the items on behalf of the state, said the distribution was a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring Food security and providing support to communities in need, particularly in crisis.
He said the grains were part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the impacts of disasters, conflicts, and food insecurity that have affected various parts of our country, including Benue State.
