As Nigerians Await Free Food; FG Says Delay Caused By Packaging

By Ayodele Oni

As Nigerians await free food supplies from the federal government, President Bola Tinubu has said that the bagging of the grains, was responsible for the delay of the free distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes to Nigerians to tackle the current food insecurity.

The Minister of Agriculture on February 8, promised that the federal government would distribute millet, maize, and other food commodities to vulnerable Nigerians to ameliorate hardship.

But for almost three weeks, no grains or food commodities have been given to Nigerians as the economy bites harder with the high cost of food.

Explaining the delay, Special Adviser to the President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the bagging of grains is ongoing in seven strategic places in the country.

Onanuga also revealed that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been in charge of bagging the grains that would soon be delivered to indigent Nigerians.

The presidential aide stated that 60,000 metric tonnes of rice will be provided by the federal government to give to Nigerians.

“The Tinubu administration through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is in the final stages of releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to support the vulnerable population across the country.

“The grains in seven locations of strategic reserve, are now being bagged for onward delivery to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The need to bag the grains, caused the delay as the bags were freshly ordered by the government.

“Nigerians will not need to pay for the grain bags, as they are free.

“This will be complemented by the 60,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to be purchased by the Federal Government from the Mega Rice Millers.”