By Roland Ike
The Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Onyekachi Nwebonyi has urged the Federal Government to investigate the late fertiliser distribution to states by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Nwebonyi who represents Ebonyi North senatorial district at the Senate, made the call at his home town, Mbeke–Ishieke, in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the State while distributing over 2,200 bags of fertilisers to farmers across the senatorial district.
The lawmaker said that the investigation should be immediate as the late distribution has negated the objective of making the input, useful to farmers in the 2024 farming season.
“The Senate will prevail on President Bola Tinubu to investigate those behind the delay as the input for instance, is arriving Ebonyi when farmers are already harvesting their crops.
“The authorities saddled with distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs should do so between March and September for bumper harvest and food security in the country.”
He reiterated that when farmers are given inputs on time, it will help them plan on the number of land hectares to cover and when such is delayed, affects such plan.
“The issue of fertilizer distribution through intermediaries should be looked into because its inherent problems negate intended objectives.
“We just held our new yam festival which means farmers have started harvesting yams, so where are we going to use our fertilizers?
“The relevant authorities should be alive to their responsibilities because the the delay is an insult to the Senate and Nigerians.”
Nwebonyi urged leaders and entire Nigerians to engage in acts that would put the country in the right path to solve the numerous challenges confronting it.
“God will not come from heaven to put things right as the task lies with all of us.”
He thanked President Tinubu for deciding to support farmers with agricultural incentives such as farm inputs,.to guarantee better yield and bountiful harvest.
“The president, donated 1,200 bags of fertilizer to each of the 109 senatorial districts in the country but as a principal officer, I got double the number.
“I have injected my personal funds in enhancing the wellbeing of my constituents in the area of agriculture, skills acquisition and empowerment, education, infrastructure, health among others.”
The Principal Secretary to the Ebonyi Governor, Chief Mathias Adum thanked the lawmaker for the fertilser distribution, noting that the people would always support him.
“Ebonyi will remain a reference point in agricultural production in the country as its leaders are poised to serve the people.
Mrs Bridget Aleke, a beneficiary of the product also thanked the senator for the distribution and pledged to judiciously utilised.
