The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has addressed reports about their involvement in distributing “rice palliative”. The Ministry emphasizes that they are not engaged in any such initiative.
Recent news stories misconstrued the distribution of various staple grains and agricultural infrastructure, funded by the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation, as a nationwide “rice palliative” program overseen by the FMAFS.
While confirming funds allocated for constituency projects under the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation are housed within the Ministry, Director of Information, Dr. Joel O. Oruche clarified that distribution of staple grains like rice is just one component of these diverse projects. Each project, tailored to the specific needs of its constituency as determined by its National Assembly representative, may also include agricultural infrastructure initiatives.
The Ministry emphasized that implementation of these projects is currently underway
