FG donates fertilizers, money to Kogi flood victims

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has handed over  fertilizers  to the Kogi State Government for onward distribution to farmers affected by flood.

 She also spot checked the disbursement of two months Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) under the Emergency Agricultural Intervention Programme for farmers affected by conflicts and flood in 2018 and the National Social Investment Programme(NSIP).

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Information, Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, Farouq said 19, 803 bags of fertilizers will be distributed to farmers in Ofu and Lokoja Local Government Areas of the State.

She said: “The total quantity of NPK fertllizers required after verification of the farmers is 114, 315 bags of 50 kg: 54,900 bags were delivered to the State. From the quantity delivered, 35, 097 bags were distributed to farmers in five Local Government Areas, including Kogi (Koton Karfe), Ajaokuta, Igalamela-Odolu, Omala and Ibaji.

“Starting from today, 19, 803 bags of fertilizers will be distributed to farmers in Ofu and Lokoja Local Government Areas. The balance of 59, 415 bags being processed by the blending plants will be delivered as soon as it is ready.

“It is worthy of note that fertllizer distribution is the final phase of Federal Government assistance to the farmers to enable them recover from the losses suffered in order to alleviate poverty and empower them. May I therefore use this opportunity to appeal to the beneficiaries to make the best use of the fertilizer.”

The Minister noted that Kogi State is an agrarian State with the citizens largely engaged in farming activities. The frequent occurrence of flood  has continued to threaten this potential.

“The Yearly Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on 24th January, 2020 and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released by the Hydrological Services Agency, have  forcasted that in Kogi State, the highly probable  flood risk in 2020 will include Bassa, Dekina, Lokoja, Omala local Government Areas; while the probable flood risk areas are Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Koton-karfe, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Adavi LGAs.”

Farouq also inspected the disbursement of two months cycle of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for the Months of May and June to 62,129 beneficiaries across the State.

According to her, Mr. President had earlier directed the Ministry to pay the beneficiaries of CCT for two months in advance at the onset of COVID-19 lockdown. This has been done in April for the months of January/ February and March/April. The ministry is currently paying for the months of May and June.

She also inspected the warehouse where the fertilizers were kept along with the l~ Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Chief Edward Onoja and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mrs. Folashade Ayo-Ade Arike.

Addition

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Alhaji Sabo Nanono, at the venue handed over farm inputs including cashew seeds, soyabeans, sesame seeds and agrochemicals to the State Government for distribution to farmers.

In his remarks the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Chief David Edward Onoja, appreciated the Kind gesture of Mr President for supporting the farmers in the state with farm inputs and fertilizers  which will go a long way to boost agriculture and alleviate poverty.

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