The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) in the FCT Administration has officially handed over 6,800 bags of fertiliser received from the Federal Government through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), FCT Chapter, for distribution to farmers across the six Area Councils of the Territory.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Tungan Maje, Mandate Secretary Comrade Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, represented by Acting Director of Agricultural Services Mallam Kongoli Muhammad Mustapha, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the National Agricultural Development Fund for the timely, cost-free support. He described the gesture as a clear demonstration of the Administration’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen food security and ease the burden of the high cost of inputs.
Comrade Ango commended FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his people oriented programmes, noting that ongoing rural road construction is already reducing post-harvest losses by improving farmers’ access to markets.
In a stern charge to the AFAN leadership, the Mandate Secretary warned against any form of sharp practices. He insisted that the fertilisers must be distributed judiciously, fairly and transparently, adhering strictly to the verified farmer list painstakingly compiled and submitted to the NADF.
“There must be no shortcuts, no favouritism and no diversion of these inputs. The Secretariat will be closely monitoring every step of this distribution exercise. We will not hesitate to sanction any individual or group found to be undermining this process,” Ango stated.
He further appealed to farmers for greater understanding and patience, assuring them that the Administration is actively working to provide more support, enhance access to quality extension services, and equip farmers to operate optimally in line with global best practices.
In her remarks, the Chairman of AFAN, FCT Chapter, Dr. Perpetual Nkechi Okafo, expressed appreciation to the Secretariat for ensuring the timely delivery of the inputs. She pledged the association’s commitment to a transparent distribution process that would ensure the fertilisers reach only genuine, verified farmers.
The handover ceremony was conducted under the supervision of the national executives of AFAN and senior officials of the NADF.
