In an effort to achieve food security, the Bauchi State Government has approved about N3bn for the newly constituted Strategic Grains Reserves Committee for the purchase of food grains.
Governor Bala Mohammed disclosed this while inaugurating the committee.
He explained that the approved funds would strictly be channelled for the purpose they were meant for.
The governor said instances, where agro dealers purchase farm produce from farmers right from the farms, necessitated the decision of his administration to establish the committee.
Governor Mohammed added, “Grains purchased through the committee would be stored in various government reserves which would later be sold out to citizens at cheap prices when the prices of food items shut up in the market to provide affordable alternatives to the people.
“We noted that even at the time of harvest, food prices are high in the market. Although we cannot stop farmers from selling, we also come into the market to buy for our people.”
He lamented the rate at which neighbouring countries troop to various communities in Bauchi and other northern states to buy food grains from farmers. The governor also suspended the distribution of food palliatives.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Hamza Akuyam, assured the governor that the committee would operate with the utmost transparency and accountability.
He said the committee would ensure value for money by buying quality grains at good prices.
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