The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday began the distribution of 900 metric tonnes of fertiliser free to farmers in the territory.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said at the inauguration of the exercise in Abuja, that the input was donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Mahmoud said that the fertiliser, received through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, serves as a strategic response to the global challenge of food shortages.
She assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, has fully adhered to the distribution guidelines outlined by the CBN which includes the setting up of a broad-based ad-hoc committee to strategise and come up with distribution plans.
This, according to her, will ensure the fertilisers reach the intended beneficiaries – the dedicated and hardworking farmers in the FCT.
“The FCT Administration is very much aware of the challenges faced by the populace regarding the high cost of food items and has been proactively implementing measures to address the situation.
“As you may recall, within the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to enhance food production.
“In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we achieved a significant milestone by providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs.
“As you may recall, within the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to enhance food production. In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we achieved a significant milestone by providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs,” the Minister said.
She added that plans were on the ground to ensure transparency by setting up an ad-hoc committee to strategise and come up with the distribution plans to the beneficiaries.
The Minister thanked partners for their support in training Agricultural Extension Agents and farmers, stressing that the administration is committed to sustaining this synergy and continuing the efforts to empower agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.
The Minister used the occasion to call on FCT residents, particularly the youth population, to take advantage of the vast arable land that the FCT is blessed with and venture into agriculture, no matter how small.
The Minister noted that while it was imperative to recognize that agricultural inputs were vital for enhancing production, knowledge of good agronomic practices was equally essential.
This, she said, was why the FCT Administration has consistently invested in knowledge acquisition over the years.
The minister reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the FCT Administration to the welfare and prosperity of the good people of Abuja.
She added that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike was dedicated and focused on transforming the FCT into a most preferred destination for investors.
Also, Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture, and Rural Development Secretariat, said that the intervention reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to revitalise the agricultural sector.
Geidam said that the distribution committee was made up of farmers, civil organisations, faith-based organisations, Area Council authorities, traditional institutions, and government agencies, in line
The Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Mrs Grace Adayilo, said that the secretariat had put measures in place to ensure that the fertiliser did not end up in the market.
Adayilo specifically said, “Any fertiliser that ended up in the market, “Holy Ghost Fire”, meaning the Holy Spirit would punish the person who took the fertiliser to the market to sell.”
On his part, Mr Ifraimu Dauda, Chairman of, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, commended the FCTA and the CBN for the gesture.
According to him, fertiliser is at the heart of agricultural production, yet its access remains the greatest challenge to farmers.
Civil society organisations who were present at the official presentation of the fertilisers assured that they would follow up and ensure transparency in the distribution.
*As Tinubu approves appointment of four new perm secs
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of four new Permanent Secretaries for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
These appointments were necessitated by the imminent retirement from the service of two Permanent Secretaries and the creation of the Youth Development Secretariat.
Announcing the new appointments, Director of Press, Office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye stated that the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are: Okeke Joy Chinwe, (South East); Ajayi Rotimi Babatunde, (South West) and Nathan Nancy Sabanti, (North East) while the Solicitor General of the FCTA also doubles as Permanent Secretary of the Legal Secretariat.
Tinubu also approved the formalisation of the position of the Solicitor-General of the FCT Administration as Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary for the Legal Services Secretariat.
In a communication from the office of the Director of Press, the “swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Mandate Secretary for Youth Development Secretariat will be held on Thursday, 15th August 2024.”
These appointments add to the earlier ones and it’s targeted at making the FCT more efficient and to function “like a state” as described by the 1999 Constitution, as an amendment.
