Food security: FEC okays N64.68b for fertilizer supply

Ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Government to ensure food security and improve productivity in the nation's agricultural sector in line with President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's 7-point Agenda have received a boost as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its last meeting approved the sum of N64, 681,500,000 for the supply of 650,000 metric tonnes of five types of fertilizer for the 2008 farming season.

Minister of Information and Communications, John Odey, in company of the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Sayyid Aba Ruma, and the Minister of State Information and Communications, Ibrahim Salisu Nakande, who made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting last week, also announced a 25 per cent subsidy, totaling N16.3 billion for the procurement.

The three companies which won the contract for the supply include TAK Continental, Federal Super-phosphate Fertilizer Company Ltd and Golden Fertilizer Company Ltd.

While reacting to media reports of alleged impropriety over an increase in the initial amount approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources in the award of contracts for the fertilizer supply Mr. Ruma said, 'It is sufficient for somebody to make a statement probably because he competed and lost.'