FEC okays N27.4b for states affected by flooding, conflicts

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N27.4 billion for intervention in states ravaged by flooding and conflicts.

This was made known by Kebbi State Governor Atiku bagudu who doubles as Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council.

He briefed State House reporters after about seven hours of deliberation at the weekly FEC meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House,  Abuja.

Bagudu said the FEC approved N18.9 billion for intervention in 14 states ravaged by flooding.

Noting that the list of the states is not exhaustive, he said that the intervention will take form of seedlings, fertilisers among other items.

According to him, 163,117 beneficiaries would be covered in the affected states, adding that FEC approved N8.5 billion for intervention in states ravaged by conflicts.

Some of the states to benefit are: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.

According to him, 69,872 people will benefit from the intervention.

He said: “FEC considered and approved two memos from the national food security council. First it approved the intervention for states that have been affected by conflicts and insecurity, where many have been displaced from their homes and some are living in Internally Displaced Persons camps.

“While support has been given in terms of accommodation, food, welfare, the national food security council considered the importance of helping them restore their livelihood activities, particularly agricultural activity. Council approved the memo by Mr. President and approved N8, 558,529,755 for intervention in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

“The beneficiaries are estimated about 69,872 people. The intervention includes provision of fertilizer, seedlings, chemicals, poultry and animals to enable them resume economic activity.

“Secondly, council considered and approved the submission which originated from national food security council on states that have been severely affected by flooding. It is not an exhaustive list because the National Emergency Management Agency statutorily provides all states that experience one emergency or the other.

“Last year, there was unusual amount of flooding in some states about 14 of them and the national Food Security Council considered the impact of that flooding on the agricultural sector, food security, animal husbandry and fisheries. And so, today the council approved an intervention totally N18, 942,818,912.14.

“Contracts would be awarded to 15 companies to provide seedlings, agro chemicals and fertilizers to 163,117 beneficiaries located in 14 states.

“The states are Adamawa, Anambra, Beyelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto and Taraba.

“As part of the work of national food security council, other interventions have been considered and are being worked upon by the beneficiary community and also the livestock sector.”

On his part, Environment Minister Suleiman Hassan said that the Council also approved another tranche of five contracts totaling N3.09 billion for continuation of remedial work on Ogoni land environmental reclamation project.

The reclamation project is sequel to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report, for which Buhari flagged off the project in 2016. Sixteen contracts had earlier been awarded for the project.

He explained that the five lots were brought to the FEC because it was above the threshold of the ministerial tenders’ board unlike the first 16 lots that passed through the board.

Other approvals by the FEC, according to Education Minister