The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, has warned the officials and stakeholders in the council not to divert fertilizer provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria for farmers.
Speaking during the distribution of AMAC’s share of 800 bags to farmers, the chairman said his administration would not tolerate a situation where fertilizer that is meant for farmers would be taken away by those that didn’t need it.
He said the fertilizer will encourage agriculture and food security, apart from curbing idleness.
Maikalangu said: “This official flag-off ceremony of fertilizer distribution to our farmers today (Tuesday) is a commitment to encourage food production and food security in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“Permit me to thank our Hon. Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, for approving the distribution of 800 bags of fertilizer donated by the CBN to us. These fertilizers (600 NPK and 200 Urea) must not be diverted or sold, it must get to the farmers to enable them improve agricultural productivity.
“This exercise is a way of encouraging our youth to engaged in agriculture activities in order to run away from Idleness.
“The intervention is to further support economic development to our rural communities where 95 percent of our population here in AMAC are farmers.
“Take note that these fertilizers are given out free of charge to our farmers, a standing committee including security agencies will be going from ward to ward to ensure that all the selected beneficiaries from the 12 Electoral Wards in AMAC received the commodity.
“Beneficiaries of this free fertilizer include farmers drawn from traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, cooperative societies, road transport workers and motorcycle, Keke group as well as politicians.
“I assure you that this intervention would be a continues process, the same way we started this intervention in 2023 with the provision bags of fertilizer, pumping machines, spraying machines and other farming input to our rural farmers.
“Let me also commend the department of Agriculture and natural resources of Abuja Municipal Area Council for their effort in bringing this occasion to reality.
“Insha Allah, we shall do it again, perhaps in a very bigger way. it has become necessary upon us to sustain this.”
Speaking earlier, the Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture, Hon. Saleh Zakari Biu, said that the committee set up for the distribution exercise did a thorough job by making sure only genuine farmers were selected.
He said the committee got across to the 12 wards of AMAC,l according to the directive of the FCT Administration.
Also speaking, the Hakimi of Karshi, Chief Ahmed Doka, commended the committee for the distribution exercise, saying their meticulous screened ensured the fertilizers did not get into wrong hands.
He said the fertilizers will encourage agriculture and food security, warning that on no count should they be sold by the farmers or found in the market.
