By Awayi Kuje
Lafia – The Nasarawa State House of Assembly in Lafia on Wednesday passed a resolution, urging Gov.Umar Al-makura to arrest, prosecute and sack government officials found diverting fertilisers in the state.
The resolution was sequel to a motion on the matter, which was moved by Assemblyman Abubakar Kana (APC-Kokona West), Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, said that such action would serve as a deterrent to others and help in boosting food production in the state.
He called on farmers to report any case of diversion of fertilisers in their communities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Balarabe-Abdullahi, however, commended the governor for selling fertilisers at a subsidised rate of N4,000 per bag to farmers.
“Let us appreciate and thank the mover of this motion, it is a very serious matter.
“We cannot sit down here and allow some government officials, saddled with the responsibility of distributing fertilisers to farmers in their respective communities, to sabotage Gov. Al-makura’s good efforts.
“We will not hesitate to advise the state government not only to arrest, prosecute any government official found diverting fertilisers meant for farmers but such officials should also be relieved of their appointments to serve as deterrent to others.’’
The speaker reiterated the commitment of the House to enacting laws and passing resolutions that had direct bearing on the welfare of the people..
Earlier, Kana, while moving the motion, said that it was based on reports from the people, saying that there was need to investigate such reports.
Assemblyman Ibrahim Muluku-Aggah (APC-Nassarawa Eggon East) seconded the motion, after which the House unanimously passed the resolution.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Al-Makura, on July 5, inaugurated the sale of fertilisers to farmers in Jenkwe, Obi Local Government Area, at a subsidised rate of N4, 000 per bag.
The governor then said that the state government would spend N1 billion on the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of fertiliser for the 2017 cropping season. (NAN)