) The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) has handed 6,800 bags of fertiliser to the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), FCT Chapter, for distribution across six area councils.
Mr Abdullahi Ango, Mandate Secretary, FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) handed over the bags of fertiliser to AFAN in Tungan Make, Abuja, on Thursday,
Ango, who was represented by the acting Director of Agricultural Services, Mallam Kongoli Mustapha, said that the fertiliser was received from the Federal Government through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and NADF for the timely and cost-free support.
The mandate secretary described the gesture as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to strengthen food security and ease the burden of high cost of inputs under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his people-oriented programmes, noting that the ongoing rural road construction was already reducing post-harvest losses by improving farmers’ access to markets.
Ango warned AFAN’s leadership against any form of sharp practices, insisting that the fertilisers must be distributed judiciously, fairly and transparently, adhering strictly to the verified farmers’ list painstakingly compiled and submitted to 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,” he said.
Ango further appealed to farmers for patience and understanding, assuring them that the FCT administration was working to provide more support, enhance access to quality extension services.
He said that the administration was working to equip farmers to operate optimally, in line with global best practices.
In her remarks, the Chairman of AFAN in FCT, Dr Perpetual Okafo, thanked the agricultural secretariat for ensuring the timely delivery of the inputs.
Okafo pledged the association’s commitment to a transparent distribution process that would ensure the fertilisers reach only genuine and verified farmers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the handover ceremony was conducted under the supervision of the national executives of AFAN and senior officials of NADF. (NAN
