Trucks of fertilizer disappeared under my predecessors - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that in previous governments,  trucks conveying fertiliser were miraculously disappearing in transit. 
He said unlike then, none of the 3,333 trucks that participated in the fertilizer programme of his administration in 2017 went missing. The president  said this at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja Friday while meeting with members of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative. Buhari assured the participants of the Presidential Fertilizer Programmers that his administration would continue to provide adequate security in order to sustain the programmers and its impact.  

President Buhari said that  Nigeria’s journey to self-sufficiency and food security was not negotiable. He said he was  impressed by the commitment of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to the project.  According to him, unless the country  creates  an inclusive and diversified economy, its progress an future generations would always be held hostage by external factors such as global oil prices. 

He asked the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and state governors to continue their partnership to ensure Nigeria feeds itself. He specifically urged them to support the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative and work together to ensure "we never return to the dark days of import dependence. 

I am pleased to hear that already, the CBN is working with the commercial banks on programs that will further expand and enhance the PFI."  Buhari stated: "The rains are upon us. Farmers in the Southern part of the country will be planting soon. We must all do our bit to ensure fertiliser is readily available.

Therefore, the Ministry of Finance and NSIA should immediately engage the Governors Forum to conclude their orders. "The Ministry of Agricultureand Rural Development should conclude the planning for all Government programs for the 2018 season to ensure synergy.The CBN working with the commercial banks should ensure affordable capital is available to the farmers and agro dealers. 

"The NSA and the security agencies should be ready to allow and   protect the movement of all agricultural goods. Specifically, issues relating to end user certificates must be prioritised. The NPA should provide all the necessary support required to expedite the offloading and evacuation of the imported materials. And finally, the NSIA and FEPSAN, under the able leadership of the Governor of Jigawa, must ensure quality and affordable fertiliser is available to farmers at the right time."

Source : Daily  Trust