NAN-H-52
Silos
By Ikenna Uwadileke
Abuja, June 1, 2017 (NAN) Rep. Solomon Ahwinahwi (PDP-Delta) has urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate and make effective use of the silos in the country as part of effort to ensure food sufficiency.
Ahwinahwi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the underutilisation of the 33 silos constructed by the government in 2009 was not encouraging food production and storage in the country.
He said rather than concession a greater part of the silos to private operators, government should complete the ones still under construction.
Cue in audio (Ahwinahwi)
“Today you see mangoes, oranges, pawpaw, being thrown on the streets; they throw them away; and which means most of these farmers will lose a lot of money.
“But if these silos are put in place before we start having issues, they will be able to store some of these foods.
“Government will buy the goods off the farmers and store them.
“It will then be taken back to the market at a regulated price which they can sell back to individuals.
Cue out audio
According to the lawmaker, for almost eight years now, the agriculture ministry has been constructing 33 grain silos worth N280 billion across the country with only three completed, while the others remained at 85 per cent completion.
“They are located in Abuja, Ado Ekiti, Akure, Okigwe, Igbariam, Saki, Dankande and Ikenne.
“10 silos have 100, 000 metric tons storage capacity and 23 with a storage capacity of 23 metric tons, out of which 30 are in a deplorable state, rusting and decaying.
“This laudable idea to serve as a strategic grain reserve where excess harvest of grains would be stored to reduce post-harvest losses and preserve surplus harvest, appears to have been abandoned,’’ Ahwinahwi said. (NAN)
IK/DOR/YEE
Edited by Nyisom Dore/Emmanuel Yashim
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