Governor Bala and members of the committee
From Muhammad Ahmad Saka, in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has inaugurated the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee as part of his administration’s efforts to tackle food insecurity and address the soaring prices of grains.
This strategic initiative is aimed at providing relief to citizens struggling with high food costs and ensuring a steady food supply amid unpredictable weather patterns.
Inaugurating the 15 man committee, Governor Bala explained his commitment to address the challenges of hunger and food insecurity in Bauchi State,
He said that his administration will not fold its arms and watch while people helplessly languish in mortal hunger.
The Governor said that the government is taking immediate steps to make food items, especially grains, more affordable for the general public.
He said that the newly formed committee has a dual mandate to purchase and store a percentage of grains from farmers, thereby ensuring a steady supply, and to maintain transparency by accounting for all proceeds from the reserve before making further purchases.
He said this aims to stabilize grain prices and reduce the impact of unpredictable food supplies on vulnerable communities.
The committee’s formation aligns with the Bauchi State government’s broader mission to mitigate food shortages and support the agricultural sector. The governor also urged the committee to operate transparently and fulfill its mandate with accountability and diligence.
He said government has released the sum of N3 billion for the purchase of harvested grains and other foodstuffs to address the growing challenges of hunger and economic hardship in the state.
He said that the Committee is tasked with bolstering food security by managing grain reserves, which will be made available to citizens at affordable prices during times of need.
He said that the development underscored the urgent need for the initiative, in view of the rising cost of living and the scarcity of basic commodities in the state and the country in general.
According to him, the N3 billion was takeoff grant which will be used to procure grain stocks and make food products accessible to the public below prevailing market prices.
The responsibilities of the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee include assessing the current condition of the state’s storage facilities, purchasing essential food commodities, and strategically selling these items at subsidized rates during critical periods.
The initiative is expected to provide much-needed relief to the people, especially those hardest hit by the economic downturn
Members of the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee are Hon. Hamza Koshe Akuyam – Chairman, Hon. Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs- Member,. Hon. Commissioner of Finance- Member, General Manager, BASAAC- Member, MD, Bauchi Investment Corporation- Member, Chief Security Officer, Governor’s Office- Member, Sarkin Darazo- Member, Sarkin Gamawa- Member, Wamban Bauchi- Member. Representative of PDP- Member, Director General, SEMA- Member, Representative of DSS, Police, NSCDC- Member and Permanent Secretatry Ministry of Agriculture- Secretary
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In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam pledged to administer the Committee’s resources prudently, ensuring that their operations remain transparent and focused on the welfare of the people.
