From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The federal government has flagged off the distribution of assorted food commodities to vulnerable families and groups in Taraba State to cushion the effects of the spike in food prices.
The Minister of Transportation Alhaji Muazu Jaji Sambo performed the official flag-off of the distribution in the company of the state governor Darius Ishaku and other government functionaries.
Sambo said that the gesture was the federal government’s response to the global spike in food prices due to climate change, incessant herders farmers crisis and other factors.
“The World Bank’s food commodity price index shows that between March and April 2022, the prices of food items went up by 15% over the previous two months and more than 80% over the last two years. The factors responsible include but are not limited to climate change, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, recurrent farmer-herders crises, mass rural-urban migration, declining food production, and strain on the demand-supply chain.
“In the light of the foregoing and in tandem with one of the Nine-point agendas of this administration which is social inclusion, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the emergency release of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve Stock to the displaced and the vulnerable in our society, Poultry associations of Nigeria and feed millers.
“The well-being of Nigerians has always been and will continue to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s priority. This programme is part of the federal government’s efforts at ensuring food
security and poverty alleviation, as well as cushioning the effects of rising prices.
“Consequently, a committee is set and directed to ensure the implementation of this distribution within one week. I call on the committee members to discharge this duty with the fear of God, with all fairness, justice and equity.”
The state governor, Darius Ishaku, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the state, Mr Anthony Jellason, appreciated the federal government for the gesture and urged the people to make the best use of the items.