The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on Thursday, flagged off the second phase of food commodities distribution to Ondo masses.
It would be recalled that in April, the Governor flagged off the first phase of food commodities and agricultural implements.
The farm implements’ distribution flagged off by the Governor today includes; 24,000 bags of 25kg Nigerian Rice; 14,040 bags of 50kg Maize; 3,440 bags of 25kg Garri; over 170 Tricycles, Tillers and Canoes and the beneficiaries includes; different groups and individuals from the 18 LGAs of Ondo State, farmers’ associations and other stakeholders.
Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that the initiative is a testament to his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
“In recent times, issues of rising costs and scarcity of food have become a national challenge facing all and sundry. It has generated concerns for individuals and governments at all levels. The effect of inflation, especially on food is more pronounced due to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government”.
Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that his administration is undoubtedly committed to regular interventions and activities towards alleviating sufferings, hunger and ensuring massive availability of food supply in the state.
The Governor, however, called on the Iya-lojas, Baba-lajes, farmers associations, transport management bodies and all other production and trade organisations in Ondo State and Nigeria at large, to encourage their members, to start bringing down prices of food, goods and services.
“Remember that your pursuit of profit must never be at the expense of people’s well-being. The greed and exploitation by any shylock trader will only lead to sufferings and hardship for the people, especially the vulnerables among us. We urge you to practise empathy and compasión in your business dealings.
“On our part as a government, we will continue with various interventions to bring down production costs and ensure safety and security for all, in line with government’s primary purpose as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This administration will not rest on its oars until we are able to feed ourselves in our dear State”.
Governor Aiyedatiwa added that the Agriculture and Food Security Committee was constituted with specific mandate to ensure that food insecurity becomes a thing of the past in Ondo State, stressing that the Committee earlier distributed tonnes of maize to livestock farmers and other individuals after the flag-off for the first phase distribution in April this year.
According to him, the effect was immediately felt, judging by people’s testimonies. There is need to continue with this type of intervention, until things stabilize fully.
He charged the Distribution Committee in each LG and other groups to be fair, transparent and accountable in carrying out the assignment. “It must not be politicized, noting that no one need to be a card-carrying member of any political party before you benefit from these palliatives.
“For food items, the target is majorly the needy and vulnerable in the society, while for agriculture implements and inputs, they are for farming purposes. It should be noted that all the items that are being distributed under this second phase were jointly funded by the Federal and Ondo State Governments. Governor Aiyedatiwa commended the efforts of all agricultural stakeholders in the state and importantly, members of the Agriculture and Food Security Committee for their support and co-operation towards making the event a reality.
“I am aware of upcoming proposals for food and agricultural products sale and hire at subsidized rates. This is necessary to boost massive production, compliment the free distributions towards reaching out to more people. All of these, I believe will contribute to availability of food and reduction in market prices”.
Earlier in his address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and forestry, Hon. Olayato Aribo stated that food security is one of the primary assignment of any government, adding that food is very important in human life.
Aribo said food such such as rice,gari,maize and other farm implement would be distributed to the people, urging the benefiting individual to make judicious use of the items.
He stressed that the food commodities distribution would be a continuous action by the Governor, stressing that many interventions by the Governor will continue unhindered.
He further stressed that the second phase will get to all the 18 local governments of the State, farmers and individuals.
The event which took place at Agric warehouse, Oke-eda, Akure the State capital had in attendance, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olayide Adelami, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, traditional rulers, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Morenike Witherspoon,