Israel Umoh
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday, approved N27.4 billion for intervention in states ravaged by flooding and conflicts.
Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential villa, Abuja.
Governor Bagudu explained that N8.558 billion was for intervention in states ere affected by insecurity that led to their displacement, while N18.94 billion is for 14 states ravaged by flooding.
He said that the intervention will take form of seedlings, fertilizers among other items and that 163,117 beneficiaries will be covered in 14 states.
According to him, “FEC considered and approved two memos from the National Food Security Council. First it approved the intervention in states that have been affected by conflicts and insecurity, where many have been displaced from their homes and some are living in Internally displaced persons camps.
“While support had been given in terms of accommodation, food and welfare, the National Food Security Council considered the importance of helping them restore their livelihood activities, particularly agricultural activity.
“Council approved the memo by Mr. President and approved N8,558,529,755 for intervention in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. The beneficiaries are estimated about 69,872 people.
“The intervention include provision of fertilizer, seedlings, chemicals, poultry and animals to enable them resume economic activity.
“Secondly, council considered and approved the submission which originated from National Food Security Council on states that have been severely affected by flooding. It is not an exhaustive list because the National Emergency Management Agency statutorily provides all states that experience one emergency or the other.
“Last year, there was unusual flooding in some states, 14 of them and the national food security council considered the impact of that flooding on the agricultural sector, food security, animal husbandry and fisheries.
“And so, today the council approved an intervention totally N18,942,818,912.14. Contracts would be awarded to 15 companies to provide seedlings, agro chemicals and fertilizers to 163,117 beneficiaries located in 14 states.
“The states are Adamawa, Anambra, Beyelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto and Taraba.
“As part of the work of national food security council, other interventions have been considered and are being worked upon by the beneficiary community and also the livestock sector.”
Also briefing, the Minister of Environment, Suleiman Hassan said that FEC also approved another tranche of five contracts totalling N3.09 billion for continuation of remedial work on Ogoni land environmental reclamation project.
The reclamation project is sequel to the United Nation Environmental Programme, UNEP, report, for which Buhari flagged of the project in 2016. Sixteen contracts had earlier been awarded for the project.
He explained that the five lots were brought to the FEC because it was above the threshold of the tenders board unlike the first 16 lots that passed through the tender board.
Other approvals by the FEC include a TETFUND intervention contract of N613.3 million for the construction of Faculty of Arts complex at Adamawa State University; and the Nigeria’s signing of the Safe School Initiative to make schooling and education safe on the country.
A contract augmentation was approved for the completion of Enugu water supply scheme, thus increasing the contract sum from N985 million to N1.15billion.
