By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor
In recent times, the Federal Government of Nigeria has made a significant move to assist farmers by distributing different brands of fertilizer through members of the National Assembly. Checks with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security revealed that each House of Representatives member received 600 bags of fertilizer, while Senators got between 1600 bags and 1800 each. These bags, costing ₦75,000 each, were aimed at improving crop yields and ensuring food security across the country.
Unfortunately, investigations indicate that despite the urgency of this initiative, many lawmakers have not distributed the fertilizers to farmers. As the regular farming season is nearly over, concerns are growing among farmers who knew that such items were sent to them through their representatives.
The good news is that some lawmakers across the country have fulfilled their obligations while others remain silent, leaving their constituents in rural areas without this vital agricultural support.
Since the concern of this piece is our dear state, Enugu, let me not bother you with the ugly reports coming from Anambra, Edo and Cross River where some lawmakers have refused to share the fertilizer to the farmers. While the DSS which is saddled with the responsibility of investigating the delivery and distribution of the fertilizer continues to its job, the media has the constitutional responsibility to hold these lawmakers accountable.
On the positive side, some lawmakers in Enugu State have distributed the bags allocated to them.
First on our list is the Member Representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu (LP). Checks showed that not only did Atu distribute his allocated 600 bags, he added 200 bags more to ensure that rural farmers received the full support. His direct involvement ensured that only genuine farmers benefitted, preventing middlemen from taking advantage.
In a similar vein, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu (PDP) representing Awgu, Aninri, and Oji River, and Hon. Mark Obetta (LP) from Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South, have also distributed their 600 bags allocations to rural farmers.
Hon Owuegbu and Hon Obetta personally got involved in the distribution. It was discovered that they had to pay stones charges to ensure proper delivery and distribution. This is commendable.
With the number above, it means that 5 House of Reps members out of the 8 in Enugu are yet to distribute their own allocation. As a journalist, I will be willing to update the list once any of their aides shows evidence of the distribution.
On the Senate side, only Senator Ngwu (PDP) has so far handed out the fertilizers to farmers. Many of his constituents have expressed satisfaction over this gesture.
The rest remain mysteriously silent, leaving questions as to whether they still have the fertilizers or they have been diverted.
There are whispers that some aides to these lawmakers have sold part of the fertilizers; though it remains unclear whether the lawmakers themselves are aware of this rascality. If true, this would mean that the resources meant for farmers have been misappropriated for personal gains, which raises serious concerns about accountability.
While the regular farming season appears to be over, hope still exists for some farmers especially those into irrigation and cassava farming. The cassava season is still active, and NPK fertilizer is particularly suitable for cassava.
Additionally, vegetable farmers preparing for dry-season planting could also make use of the fertilizers. Lawmakers who have yet to distribute their share can still ensure that the fertilizer reaches those in need.
This report was prompted by investigations carried out in December 2023, revealing that all House of Representatives members received ₦100 million from the Federal Government. This money was meant to buy about 1,800 bags of 25kg rice, while Senators received ₦200 million each. While some lawmakers, especially those who distributed their fertilizer, used the funds for the intended purpose, many others are yet to deliver the rice to their communities.
This implies that, out of two major agricultural interventions by the Federal Government under the Ministry of Agriculture, many lawmakers have failed to distribute either the fertilizer or the rice. This failure not only affects the farmers who rely on this support but also undermines the government’s efforts to improve agriculture and food security in the country. It is imperative that lawmakers take action without further delay to ensure that these resources reach the intended beneficiaries.
