The Federal Government has distributed over four thousand bags of fertilizers and irrigation equipment to farmers in Benue, “the Food Basket” State to enhance large-scale farming, and promote and achieve food security in the country.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Professor Joseph Utsev who supervised the distribution of the items in Makurdi, the Benue State capital said, the intervention would enable farmers to engage in large-scale facing activities.
During the ceremony, the Minister also distributed bags of rice to hundreds of citizens in the State as part of the interventionist steps by President Bola Tinubu’s government to alleviate the suffering of the masses and reduce hardship.
According to Professor Utsev, the distribution of fertilizers and irrigation machines was in addition to the earlier distribution to the State by the Federal Government to ensure bumper harvest and all-year-round agriculture.
Speaking, the Minister explained that such interventions were ongoing across the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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The Minister said that the fertilizer and irrigation machines which were being distributed free of charge were to make agriculture attractive and to encourage more youths and women to venture into farming.
A statement by the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Terhemen Oraduen said that
with the declaration of a State of Emergency on food security, both the Federal, State, and local governments were working together and assiduously to ensure that every Nigerian has food to eat at a lower cost.
Professor Utsev told the Benue community that construction of dams and water schemes across the country including the “Food Basket “ State were ongoing to ensure irrigated agriculture and enable citizens to have access to clean and safe water especially those in rural areas.
The Minister also explained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has since introduced reforms aimed at improving the lives of citizens such as the Student Loans, Mass Urban Housing Scheme across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCG), ongoing construction of roads across the 36 States to ease vehicular movements and to enable farmers to transport their farm produce to the markets.
Professor Utsev added that work on the construction of River Katsina-Ala at Buruku crossing has also commenced while approval has been made by the Federal Executive Council for the construction of the Makurdi, Gboko, and Katsina Ala roads.
He added that conscious efforts were being made to tackle insecurity in Benue and other parts of the country.
The Minister therefore urged the Benue people to appreciate the tremendous support and attention the state has received under the President Tinubu administration with the appointment of many sons and daughters of the State into key federal positions.
The Water Resources and Sanitation Minister appealed to Benue people not to be part of the planned nationwide protest being canvassed by some people saying President Tinubu was aware of the challenges facing the country and was doing everything possible to address them and return Nigeria to the part of greatness.
Speaking at the occasion, House of Representatives Member for Kwande Ushongo Federal Constituency Mr Terseer Ugbor said the National Assembly was committed to working in synergy with the administration of President Tinubu to provide the desired dividends of democracy to citizens as exemplified in the recent passage of a new National Minimum Wage for Nigerian workers and the Student Loan scheme where thousands of Nigerian students have already been enrolled.
On their part, members of the Benue State House of Assembly who spoke through Gboko East representative at the Assembly Mrs. Becky Orpin said they were solidly behind the policies and programmes of President Tinubu’s administration stressing that the country stands to benefit more from the administration and called for more patience and understanding with the administration and thanked the Nigerian judiciary for restoring local government autonomy.
Speaking on behalf of the Benue youths Mr Terdindi Adom and President of the National Union of Benue State Students Mr Sylvester Terwase as well as a retired civil servant Mr Peter Chiangi, and market women who also spoke at the occasion, enumerated the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu within one year in office and vowed never to be part of any protest against the administration of President Tinubu who they said was on track to address the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
They expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, and the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev for supporting Benue farmers with fertilizer free of charge and food items and pledged their total loyalty and support to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed.