President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of 70,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Grains Reserve.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, disclosed this in a statement by the Director of Information, in the ministry Mr. Theodore Ogaziechi, in Abuja.
Nanono explained that the measure was taken to cushion the effect of the lockdown on the poor and vulnerable Nigerians across the country as a result of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
He noted that out of the 70,000 metric tonnes, 5,000 metric tonnes of cassava chips, otherwise known as garri, was available for immediate release.
The Minister further noted that the bagging of grains was ongoing for further urgent release through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
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According to him, the food items would be released from the six Silo Complexes across the country.
He explained that 10,000 metric tonnes of maize and 2,500 metric tonnes of garri would be released from Minna Silo qhile 5,000 metric tonnes of millet and 1,500 metric tonnes of garri would come from Lafia Silo in Nasarswa State.
Twelve thousand, five hundred (12,500) metric tonnes of maize and 5,000 metric tonnes of sorghum would be released from Dustin-ma Silo in Katsina State.
Furthermore, he said that 12,500 metric tonnes of maize and 5,000 metric tonnes of sorghum would be released from Yola Silo, Adamawa State while 15,000 metric tonnes of sorghum would be released from Gusau Silo, Zamfara State and 1,000 metric tonnes of garri from Ilesha Silo in Osun State.
The Minister assured that measures would be put in place by the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the food items got to beneficiaries directly.
