Governor Alia Flags Off Fertilizer Distribution In Benue State

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State in North Central Nigeria has flagged off the distribution and sales of fertilizer to farmers for this year’s farming season.

The Governor at the occasion warned against the diversion of the subsidised fertilizers for personal use by those saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the distribution, no matter their position in government.

The Governor said that the flag-off was his administration’s modest contribution to encourage food sufficiency and cushion the effect of the harsh economic challenges facing the people of the state and other Nigerians.

Governor Alia who described Benue State as one of the richest states in terms of fertile land for agriculture urged Benue farmers to take advantage of the fertilizer which has been subsidized at N12,500 a bag to increase food production in the state.

He promised that his administration would provide improved agricultural machinery and create an enabling environment for farmers, such that has never been experienced in the state before.

The Governor also announced the purchase of one hundred trucks of fertilizer for distribution to the state, assuring that subsequent fertilizers for yearly farming seasons would be flagged off in the month of April.

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Earlier, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Nats Adzuu, commended the governor for his efforts at ensuring that fertilizer was made available to Benue farmers at a subsidized rate, despite inheriting an empty treasury.

He assured the governor of the ministry’s commitment to food security and fair distribution of the product across the state.

The Governor meanwhile also donated a truckload of fertilizer to each political party in the state, pointing out that the times for political campaigns were over.

“Everyone deserves to enjoy the dividends of democracy, irrespective of their political parties”, said the Governor.

Governor Alia also purchased 50 bags of fertilizers personally for distribution to the most vulnerable farmers in the state.

Emmanuel Ukoh