BIRNIN KEBBI (Sundiata Post) – Federal Government has said that it will give out N3 billion to States across the Federation which farm lands are affected by the flood to mitigates the effects of the disaster on the food security.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi after he and Minister of Budget and Economy Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Governor of Kebbi State visited some parts of rice farm lands and other areas affected by the flood in the state.

According to him, “I thank the Governor of Kebbi State for taking me round to see the situation in the state and also to see the resilience of the people of the state. I have also visited a large farm, 250 metric tonnes that is producing for the state and the company and as well supporting the local economy,women, secondary rice millers.

“And also,it is a sign that there is,as we heard from the management of the company,there is safety and security in Kebbi State all throughout. And they are not only just completing their second Mill,they are looking for expanding further. So,this is a sigh for resilience of the optimism that we should approaching things in Nigeria, it is not everywhere that is not secured.

“Another thing is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu leadership is pushing hard to ensure the country is more secure and encouraging the investors,local investors that would create employment. And this is what we have seen in Kebbi State.

“As for the flooding, it is a major issue and I would announce here that,the National Economy Council has been proactive taking actions in order to support all the States of the federation and FCT with N3b for them to take action to mitigate in the case of the flooding this current year. Many states like Kebbi State will be in good position to support farmers in the forthcoming dry season farming which will anticipate will be more successful,well planned and we’ll implemented and that success will mean food availability and lower the inflation to further stabilise the economy. So, it is very very encouraging to have come to Kebbi seen the problem,seen how they are been,very proactive dealt with and I must congratulate the Governor of Kebbi State particularly. He told me that the platform his predecessor gave me succeed in the short term.

“,My plea to the private companies, Rice Millers is that,they should tell us,what they need to invest further,to create more jobs , produce more in Kebbi State and in Nigeria. Likewise,off course, President is always keen to assist through economy, including whatever Kebbi State needs to maintain its security,to maintain its resilience, and to improve it’s produce, production capacity such that it’s can really become the food baskets, shoulder the food basket of Nigeria”.

In his remark, Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris who appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state,noted that many rice farms in the state have been submerged by the flood.

He said: “they have gone to Argungu,Wacot Rice mill and they have seen things by themselves. They also visited Maya Fada in Argungu and they have seen things by themselves, how the flood affected our rice farm which Kebbi State is the leading Rice farming in the country, because Kebbi State is an agrarian state in the country. We have discussed and I have pleaded with the two ministers that are rightly here that when they return to Abuja,they should discuss it with the President that Kebbi State can feed the entire nation even beyond the country.

“You are all around and you can see what we are doing to our farmers in the state. We provided fertilizers,seedlings free ,solar pumps and CNG pumps to over 35,000 farmers free. But this raining season come with alot of challenges, there is flood all over the land and it’s has destroyed our rice which we are using to boost our chest as the most Rice producer in the country.

” Therefore,we want Federal Government to come to the aid of Kebbi State so that the rice season farming is approaching. Already,we we have started mobilizing our farmers that immediately after the wet season harvest, the Government is always ready to assist our farmers to go back for dry season farming”.

In his remark his remark, Minister of Budget and Economy planning Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended President Nola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership style for reforming the economy towards stabilization of the nation economy.

He explained that, the road projects from Sokoto to Badagary would help farmers alot in the areas of irrigation and food security.