Bags To Bag 42,000MT Of Grains Freshly Ordered, Caused Delay In Distribution – FG

The Presidency has explained that the delay in the distribution of the 42,000 metric tonnes of grains it promised for nationwide release two weeks ago was because the bags to bag the grains were freshly ordered by the government.

The Presidency said the 42,000 metric tonnes of grains are now being bagged for distribution.

Also, the remaining 60,000 metric tonnes of grains would be purchased from the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement he signed Friday night titled, ‘Update on Tinubu administration’s efforts to ramp up food supply in the country’.

President Bola Tinubu, on February 8, ordered the immediate release of 102,000 metric tons of various grain types from the Strategic Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria as a temporary response to the nation’s growing food crisis and the rising price of commodities.

Giving updates on the strategy, the Presidency said, “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.”

On why there are delays in the distribution, Onanuga stated, “The need to bag the grains, caused the delay as the bags were freshly ordered by the government,” adding that, “Nigerians will not need to pay for the grain bags, as they are free.”