The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, has revealed that the Federal Government is set to review the concessioning of its Silos leased to Private Firms in the country.
The Minister disclosed this during his inspection tour of facilities at the 250, 000 Capacity Metric Tonnes Silos in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State recently.
He warned that the Federal Government would revoke the license of any concessionaire who fails to meet the terms of agreement made with the Ministry.
According to him, all concessions would be reviewed to determine if the necessary concession agreements have been met and licenses of defaulters would be revoked.
The Minister however, noted that the facilities were designed to mop up excess grains during the harvest season for preservation and price stability, and they were provided in different parts of the country for strategic reserves and enhance the ‘Food Security Programme’ of the Federal Government which is in line with President Buhari’s agenda for the Agricultural Sector.
In his remarks, the Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Fanini, who accompanied the Minister on the inspection tour, said the State Government would key into the Federal Government’s policies and programmes in the Agricultural Sector, He further assured that the State Government would take advantage of the policy to create jobs and grow the economy of the State.
In his brief on the facility to the Minister, the Regional Director, North West in the Ministry, Engr. Olusegun Owolabi, said that all the activities at the site were being handled by the concessionaire, Martrix Ville Company, from staffing, maintenance and purchasing of grains for storage under the supervision of the Ministry.
The Minister also inspected the 25,000 Metric Tonnes Gaya Silo Complex in Gaya Local Government Area, in Kano State.
Ezeaja Ikemefuna
For: Director, information (FMARD)
