DSS, NEMA to monitor FG 42,000 MTs grain release

The Department of State Security Services ( DSS) and National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) may have been slated to ensure seamless distribution of 42,000 metric tons of grains about to be released to cushion food inflation in the country.

This was the major high power information released by the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari along with his counterpart, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris at the ministerial press briefing held yesterday at Radio House in Abuja.

Although the full details of how the grains distribution would be discharged are not given other than 42,000 metric tons of grains including wheat, rice, maize, millet and sorghum will be distributed across the nation to vulnerable citizens as modalities of seamless distribution is on going with DSS and NEMA.

Senator Kyari only said that modalities for the distribution of grains to vulnerable Nigerians across different locations in the country are being finalized in collaboration with the DSS and NEMA.

The minister also mentioned various partnership strategies the ministry has adopted with the states' government to ensure massive food production through effective engagement of real farmers that will benefit in the FG inputs intervention.

Senator Kyari expressed concern over the presence of "political farmers" even in the ministry's database which he described as very counter productive.

Furthermore, the ministry disclosed plans to cultivate 120,000 hectares of land for wheat production and engage 150,000 farmers in rice cultivation across multiple regions of the country within the year.

Speaking on the occasion , the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in government actions saying the ministerial press briefing was to foster interaction between government officials and the media.