Bauchi State Government has inaugurated the state’s Strategic Grains Reserve Committee as part of its efforts to address hunger and economic hardship, combat food insecurity, and stem the soaring price of grains.
Speaking while inaugurating the committee yesterday, Governor Bala Mohammed said the initiative is aimed at providing relief to citizens struggling with high food costs and ensuring a steady food supply amid unpredictable weather patterns.
According to him the move also is a proactive step towards mitigating food insecurity and promoting sustainable development, setting an example for similar initiatives across the country.
Bala Mohammed said that his administration would not fold its arms and watch while people helplessly languish in hunger. He highlighted that the government is taking immediate steps to make food items, especially grains, more affordable for the general public.
He also announced the provision of N3 billion as a takeoff grant, which will be used to procure grain stocks and make food products accessible to the public below prevailing market prices.
Mohammed explained that the newly formed committee has a dual mandate: to purchase and store a percentage of grains from farmers, thereby ensuring a steady supply, and to maintain transparency by accounting for all proceeds from the reserve before making further purchases.
This effort, Mohammed has said, aims to stabilize grain prices and reduce the impact of unpredictable food supplies on vulnerable communities.
Governor Mohammed also urged the committee to operate transparently and fulfil its mandate with accountability and diligence.
In his remarks, the chairman of the committee Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam pledged to administer the committee’s resources prudently, ensuring that their operations remain transparent and focused on the welfare of the people.
Other members of the committee are commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs; commissioner for Finance; general manager, BASAAC; MD, Bauchi Investment Corporation; chief security officer, Governor’s Office; and Emir Darazo.
Others are: Emir of Gamawa; Wamban Bauchi; representative of PDP; Director General, SEMA; representative of Police, NSCDC while the Ministry of Agriculture will serve as secretary of the committee.
