Osinbajo flags off N8bn food distribution to North East IDPs

ACTING President Yemi Osinbajo will on Thursday flag off the distribution of 40,000 metric tonnes of grains worth N8 billion to address the food crisis facing victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

According to the Presidency, it is a “major and significant move by the Buhari administration to address the food crisis fallouts of the insurgency in the North-East.”

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, in Abuja on Wednesday, said Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region would be the major beneficiaries.

It said about 1.8 million people would be reached regularly starting from Thursday when the Acting President launches “the quarterly Special Relief Intervention Plan costing about N8 billion depending on current commodity prices.”

The statement added: “In all, about 40,000 metric tonnes comprising rice, maize, sorghum and soya beans grown locally by Nigerian farmers would be distributed. Under the distribution model, the Federal Government which is paying for the grains will be giving each family about 50kg of grains per month.

“One of the highlights of this new distribution plan is that it eliminates the undignified practice of long and often problematic queues, replacing it with door-to-door delivery to the IDPs using a pre-issued voucher-system that promotes transparency and accountability. The new plan is also expected to correct many of the lapses observed in delivering relief to the IDPS.

“The food will be distributed by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in partnership with State Emergency Management Agencies and developmental partners from the international humanitarian agencies.

“Under the plan, the FG buys local grains from Nigerian farmers and the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Military including the Air Force, are actively involved providing essential and logistical support. The grains to be delivered quarterly would be transported mainly by road through 1032 trucks, while for locations difficult to reach, the Nigeria Air Force will provide air lift support.

“While the Federal Government is providing food assistance, it will work with the state governments to provide other forms of assistance including health services, education, resettlement and livelihood support.”