By Romoke Adefemi
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed the readiness of his ministry to partner the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen food security across the country.
Aregbesola who disclosed this in his office today in Abuja when he received his counterpart from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Mohammed Sabo Nanono and his team, stated that the Federal Government cannot afford to relent in its efforts to ensure the security and safety of farmers at all levels as well as the seamless movement of farm produce across the country.
In a statement signed by Mr. Towoju Raphael on behalf of the Director of Media and Publicity, Mrs. Blessing Lere-Adam, said: “The enormous responsibilities we carry as senior members of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari make it necessary for us to ensure that we provide adequate security to prevent calamities that may arise from food shortages in the land,” Aregbesola said.
While commending the efforts of the Agro-Rangers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in providing security for farmers in the North-Eastern part of the country, especially in Borno State, the Minister said that the Corps had received tremendous support from the Ministry of Agriculture over the years, noting that the efforts have enhanced continuity of commodities coming from that part of the country.
“You have a worthy partner in achieving your mission and the mandate of your Ministry,” he stressed.
Earlier, Nanono decried the challenges facing trade in Agricultural commodities, particularly, farmers/herders clashes, illegal taxes along the roads, delays associated with road blocks along the national highways and nefarious activities of various groups who obstruct the free flow of goods and occasionally attack merchandise and traders in parts of the country.
Nanono added that these challenges were seriously contributing to post harvest losses, causing high prices of agricultural commodities, thereby contributing to the general insecurity in Nigeria.
He reiterated that the purpose of his visit was to seek collaboration of the ministry and its agencies towards addressing the various challenges that have been hampering food sufficiency in the country.
He urged Aregbesola to direct relevant security establishments under his watch to provide improved security of lives and property along the federal highways, agricultural communities and major agricultural markets across the country.