The House of Representatives has resolved to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged misuse of federal government interventions in agriculture which gulped over N2 trillion in the last eight years.
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Chike John Okafor from Imo State who lamented the growing food scarcity and malnutrition in Nigeria and the alleged mismanagement of agricultural funds intended for agricultural development in the country.
He noted that the federal government, through various schemes and interventions in the last eight years have spent over N2 trillion in funding agricultural interventions with the view of making food available for millions of Nigerians.
The lawmakers however said, due to the alleged mismanagement, misapplication of funds and abuse of the programmes, Nigeria is still experiencing food scarcity and malnutrition.
“Aware that funds advanced to end users of the Federal Government interventions were allegedly misused, misapplied and channelled to non farming and non agricultural purposes, hence the current acute scarcity of food.
“Worried that the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, and any abuse of the programmes and schemes of government drastically affects millions of innocent citizens,” he argued.
Also at plenary, the House urged the Federal Government in collaboration with State Governments to demarcate a minimum of 18000 hectares of arable land in each of the six zones and name it Geo Agricultural Zones.
That was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Clement Jimbo on; “The Urgent Need to End Food Insecurity Through Mechanised Agricultural Revolution Across the Country.”
Moving the motion, the lawmaker said Nigeria has a total of 70.8 million hectares of agricultural land of which 34 million hectares are arable land which maize, rice, cassava, guinea corn, yam, palm oil, beans, among others grow effectively with less soil improvements.
“Concerned that despite huge financial resources appropriated in the budget and implemented and human resources dissipated by 40.2 million households, they have not addressed the current food insecurity in the nation.
“Worried that the current high cost of food products caused by insufficient food availability due to high demand but low supply can lead to malnutrition, psychological distress and other outcomes including depression,” he noted.