Nigeria has received about 33,000 metric tonnes of potash as donations. Now, it is faced with the dilemma of how to carry an even distribution process that is void of corruption.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is passionate about reducing the price of fertiliser for Nigerian farmers.
According to him, this will ensure the attainment of food security.
There has been food insecurity in Nigeria to the point that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency.
We Are Here To Serve
Shettima said: “Our goal is to serve the Nigerian people, as President Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertilisers for the Nigerian farmers.
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“No strings attached, no vested interest and the president will be happy if the price of fertilisers collapses by 50% after this exercise”.
This was disclosed at a meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday. It was between the Federal Government and Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN).
Also in attendance at the meeting were the minister of agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, and the minister of state for agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
The meeting focused on the 33,000 metric tonnes of potash donated to the government by Russia’s Uralchem Group and UN partners.
During the last Russia-Africa Summit held in Russia, the Nigerian government delegation met with Uralchem Group and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The meeting centred on the donation of a consignment of 33,000 metric tonnes of potash.
According to the Vice President, Mr Tinubu gives high premium to achieving the agenda of food security in Nigeria.
“This accounts for the declaration of the state of emergency in food security sector by the Tinubu administration in July. We have many challenges with food security.
“However, we are lucky because President Tinubu is very empathetic and passionate about achieving food sufficiency in the country,” said Mr Shettima.
Transparency And Fairness
Also. the vice-president stressed the seriousness attached to the donation and distribution of potash from Uralchem.
“There has to be transparency, equity and fairness in the distribution for the reason that the end beneficiaries are the Nigerian farmers and their leadership is seated here.”
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“He assured the stakeholders that “there will be transparency”.
“We are going to use our own blenders and the beneficiaries have to be the Nigerian people.”
Furthermore, he stated that this would be carried out in conjunction with the agriculture ministry driving the process.
Also, NEMA, World Food Programme (WFP) and AFEX, have the database and other requirements that will assist the government in reaching out to farmers.
