FEC okays N27.4b intervention for insecurity, flood victims

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved about N27.4billion worth of interventions for states ravaged by flood and insecurity in the country.  

This followed two memos presented by the Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, to the council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. 

President Buhari is the chairman of the council. 

Bagudu, who briefed State House correspondents after the council meeting, said that the interventions followed the recommendation of the food security council. 

About N18.9billion was approved for 163,117 beneficiaries in 14 flood affected states. 

He said contracts would be awarded to 15 companies to provide agriculture inputs to the victims. 

Bagudu said about N8.5billion was also approved as an intervention for about 69,872 insecurity victims in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states. 

The Kebbi Governor 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 the provision of fertilizer, seedlings, chemicals, poultry and animals to enable them to resume economic activity.

“Secondly, the 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 an 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, agrochemicals 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.”

FEC also approved the award of contracts for the remediation of five more lots for the clean up in Ogoniland following the report of the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP).  

Minister of Environment, Suleiman Hassan said they were presented to Council for approval because they are outside the threshold of ministerial tenders board. 

Also speaking, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu revealed that the council approved a contract worth N613million for the construction of Faculty of Arts building in Adamawa State University while the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the council approved an N106million augmentation for Ego Water Scheme In Imo state.