Food insecurity: Bauchi govt inaugurates Grains Reserve Committee

As part of the effort to combat food insecurity and shortage, the Bauchi State Government has inaugurated the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee.

While inaugurating the committee at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office on Monday, Governor Bala Mohammed revealed that the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee is part of his administration’s comprehensive strategy to combat food insecurity and address the rising cost of grains.

According to him, the initiative is designed to provide the much-needed relief to citizens grappling with high food prices and to ensure a consistent food supply amid unpredictable weather conditions.

During the inauguration, the governor reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to tackling the challenges of hunger and food insecurity in the state.

His words: “I made it clear that my administration will not remain passive while our people endure the agony of severe hunger. We are taking proactive measures to ensure that essential food items, particularly grains, become more affordable for the general populace.

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“The newly established committee has a dual mandate. Firstly, it is tasked with purchasing and storing a portion of grains from local farmers to guarantee a stable food supply.

“Secondly, the committee is expected to maintain strict transparency, meticulously accounting for all proceeds from the reserve before proceeding with further acquisitions.”

Governor Mohammed stated that the initiative is a vital step in stabilising grain prices and mitigating the impact of erratic food supplies on most vulnerable communities.

The governor tasked members of the committee to carry out their duties with the utmost transparency, accountability and diligence in all operations.

Responding on behalf of the Committee members, its chairman, who was the immediate past chairman of the Bauchi State PDP, Hon Hamza Koshe Akuyam pledged to be just and fair in the discharge of the onerous but very important assignment.

The members of the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee are as follows:

1. Hamza Koshe Akuyam – Chairman

2. Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs – Member

3. Commissioner of Finance – Member

4. General Manager, BASAAC – Member

5. Managing Director, Bauchi Investment Corporation – Member

6. Chief Security Officer, Governor’s Office – Member

7. Sarkin Darazo – Member

8. Sarkin Gamawa – Member

9. Wamban Bauchi – Member

10. Representative of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – Member

11. Director General, SEMA – Member

12. Representative from the Police and NSCDC – Member

13. Ministry of Agriculture – Secretary