From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
Members of the House of Representatives have expressed worry over the state of 33 silos value at about N280 billion belonging to the Federal Government.
The House following the adoption of a motion on the need to investigate the rot of Thirty three (33) silos worth N280 billion, called on the Federal Government to investigate the current state of the facilities.
On its part, the House mandated its Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to carry out an assessment of all silos that are under construction in a bid to determine the level of progress made and come up with workable plans on how they can be completed and put into immediate use.
The Committee is to report back within eight weeks for further legislative action.
Sponsor of the motion, Solomon Ahwinahwi, described as highly worrisome, the fact that for upward of eight years, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been constructing 33 grain silos spread across the country, which cost so far was put at about two hundred and eighty billion Naira, with only 3 reported to have been completed while others are nearing 85 percnt completion.
He further explained that the facilities which are located in Abuja, Ado Ekiti, Ilesa, Akure, Okigwe, Igbariam, Saki, Dankande, and Ikenne, comprise of 10 silos of 100,000 metric tons storage capacity and 23 others with a storage capacity of 23 metric tons, out of which 30 are now in deplorable state of rust and decay.
He maintained that the failure of the Agriculture Ministry to deliver on the silos has defeated the idea of promoting food security through building modern storage facilities as conceived by the Late President Musa Yar’Adua. in 2009.
He added that it was important that the House looked into how the ministry has handled the projects as the silos are supposed to serve as strategic grain reserve where excess harvest of grains like rice, beans, maize, millet, soya and sorghum would be stored, so as to reduce post-harvest wastes and preserve surplus harvest.
“We should be concerned that after huge and scarce resources had been spent on the project, it is being alleged that there are plans to concession out the silos to private operators who will in turn pay rent to the government.
“To allow this will amount to a clear sign that the country is far from being serious with the touted quest for self-sufficiency in food production and storage”, the lawmaker said.