The Federal Executive Council FEC has approved a total of N27.46b for states ravaged by insecurity and natural disasters, including flooding.
The Governor of Kebbi State and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Initiatives on Food Security, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The intervention is under the National Food Security Council for states affected by conflicts and insecurity.
The Council considered the importance of helping them and approved N8b for Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Zamfara with 69,872 persons listed as beneficiaries.
“FEC considered and approved two memos from the National Food Security Council. First it approved the intervention for 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 has been given in terms of accommodation, food, 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 includes provision of fertiliser, seedlings, chemicals, poultry and animals to enable them resume economic activity.”
Last year’s unusual amount of flooding in some states had affected about 14 states which prompted the national food security council to consider the impact of that flooding on the agricultural sector, food security, animal husbandry and fisheries.
Bagudu said the council approved an intervention totally N18,942,818,912.14, adding that “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.
“ The Council had set up an enumeration committee which considered and approved the beneficiaries.
He disclosed that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had also verified and approved the listed of beneficiaries sent by the states”, adding that “data and the process has lasted for over nine months.”
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu also announced the award of contract for the construction of a faculty of Acts in the Adamawa State University, at the cost of N614m, under the funds provided by the Tertiary Education Funds Tertfund.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has signed the Safe school declaration.
Speaking on the Ogoni Clean up, FEC also approved the award of contracts for five more lots as part of the clean up in Ogoni land, at the cost of N3039m.
Sixteen companies had earlier taken over sites in January approved under the Ministerial Tenders Board.
“Today, we have now awarded five more which are above the Ministerial Tenders Board, at the cost of N3.309b.
Council also approved augmentation for water supply in Enugu state, increasing the amount to N1.121b from N925m.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
