FOOD SCARCITY - HOW PREPARED ARE WE?

[Muhsin]

I've heard of that decrease of price too, GGNK. Let me tell you, even other goods' price (Cement for e.g) starts falling too. But I personally relate this development to our prayers. Allah ya karo sauki, amin.

[Lawwali]

Not only that we are in serious problem, but our Govt.s has no policy on Agriculture in Nigeria. Since the oil boom, govt.s pay little or no attention to Agriculture. They always prefer a "fire brigade approach" on issues to do with Agriculture. Look at even the northern governors, they pay no attention to the sector despite all the abuse from the south that the north is not contributing to the national cake, but benefitting. With effective and articulated agricultural policy Nigeria can fed the world. However a political will to implement the policies is a great factor, for in Nigeria we have over eighteen (18) agricultural research institutes plus over ten faculties of agriculture, but due to lack of the will, they seems not have existed

[kitkat]

The liberian government just signed and agreement with African Development Aid and the world bank for the preparation of 15,000 hectares of land for mechanised rice farming. Total cost to be borne by the world bank is a little over 30 million us dollars. Some body pls do the math for me, $30miilion for 15,000 hectares at an average yield of 7 tons a hectare. How much will it cost the yaradua govt. to develop a rice program that will ensure we produce the  500,000 tons they were planning to import at 80 billion, with the attendant multiplier effect on the local economy? Instead we sit down at FEC and authorise a minister to open an letter of credit for 80 Billion in favour of a contractor, who may or not even source the 500k tons in the time envisaged. every major rice esporting country has banned the export of the crop, a ina za a samo half a million tons before the end of the year?

Bear in mind that we alreday have most of the upstream infrastructure for irrigated rice production in the form of the various river valley outfits, so were not even starting from scratch. The original masterplan for the  hadejia basin as taken over by HJRBDA envisaged 300,000 hectares. All documentation, blueprints etc for this project as envisaged and started over 30 years ago under audu bako are more or less the same documents that the river basin authority is using, and we barely have more than 15 % of the planned hectarage, because of lack of funding and interest by successive governments.

[HUSNAA]

Where are all out esteemed economists? why arent they crying foul over the matter? Abin dai ba'a cewa komai. Wannan ma kurum tabargaza ce. The problem with our politicians I think is that they tend to regard this money as their own not baitul mali's ajiya. So it appears to them that they have a money glut and can afford to waste it any how. Shi ma 'yar Adua'r ina kansa ya shiga ne? In banda Nigeria, ni bantaba jin inda a ka dauko maras lafiya a ka dora shi kan gadon mulki ba. irin su castro, sun samu tangarda da lafiyar su sun ajiye mulkin amma mu anan, don wani mugun nufi, maras lafiyar ake dorawa. Ko dan hankalinsa ya rabu kashi ashirin, ya kasa aikin yabar wa masu mugun nufi suyi yadda su ke so. At any rate, in the light of what Kitkat said, the decision to buy the rice is the dumbest ever.. especially as no country will part with that much rice. Kuma if they try different sources, what happens is that even if they are successful, the rice will arrive peacemeal and late just like Kitkat says and the aim defeated. Besides why cant we utilize the fadamomi? Mind you suma  ADPs dinnan are the most corrupt institutions. Our immediate problem actually with rice farming is to have enough available water to farm the rice with. We should employ the israeli system of underground irrigation channels. I think from the sounds of it, it partially solves the problems of salt buildup in open surface water channels. It also minimises surface evaporation. amma not sure if this can be done to rice cultivation seeing that rice is semi aquatic in its early lifecycle. But we can adopt it for other crops nevertheless.
another project is to desalinize ocean water for domestic and agric uses. It sounds fantastic but its very possible to do, only very expensive. I think Saudi Arabia has done it? not sure, I heard that many years back. This is an option if only our govts can investigate such things and the billions of dollars we are investing into thin air should be better utilized this way. Ni fa in life if I want something desperately, I am willing to sacrifice, going days or weeks outside my usual comfort zone in order to get what ever it is I am after. In the current climate of misery that most Nigerians live under, it would have been a comfort to  know that the misery was all for a good cause, instead of for nothing.

[Dan-Borno]

The problem with our politicians I think is that they tend to regard this money as their own not baitul mali's ajiya. So it appears to them that they have a money glut and can afford to waste it any how.

Husnaa kenan, in most cases i dont like the way you directly
accused "politicians" over the recent crisis, though they might
be involved amma so insignificant.  The person to be blamed
most which i now come to understand is the "Public Servant"
who has always been the custodian of "policy implementation".

You must agree with me that it is the public servant for prepares
the budget of the Ministry every year, and it is only through
our prepared budgets that meaningful development in every
sector will be achieved.  The recent criminal act by the personnel
of the Fed. Ministry of Health is an eye opener that the public
servant is the actual culprit and saboteur of the nation's economy.

It is still the public servant who shows the politicians that if we
were able to do this we will get this and we will cover this by doing
this.  The politician has never been the Permanent Secretary of
a Federal Ministry, though some might argue that the position
has been politicised, but we need a strong and cogent reasons to
go by that assertion.

another project is to desalinize ocean water for domestic and agric uses. It sounds fantastic but its very possible to do, only very expensive.

kindly elaborate on this desalinize ocean water.

[gogannaka]

The public servant is the most corrupt nigerian.You have to connive with him to carry out any corrupt practise or else it will not work.The public service needs to be sanitized before corruption can be rid from the country.

Regarding the 80 billion rice import,it is a short term approach.The Thai and malaysian government have 'bilaterally' promised/secured Nigeria the demanded 500,000 tonnes. And from what i heard in the news the federal government is dedicating 200 billion to the agricultural sector over the next 4 years.It will also buy rice milling machines in rice producing areas so as to process the local rice produced to match international standards.They have also issued contract for the revival of one irrigation scheme in kebbi state.Obasanjo started phase 2 of the Hadejia Jama'are irrigation scheme
All these are plans put in place by the federal government to ensure better food production,the only thing that remains is the commitment from both government and farmers.
This if properly implemented would go a long way in improving food production and security in the country.
But for the mean time let them import the rice make hunger no kill pessin.At least its better than them stashing the money in their accounts.

[gogannaka]

Just when i finished typing i came across this on Daily trust:

The federal government has denied that a whopping N80 billion was being spent on the importation of rice to cushion the effect of soaring cost of food and rice in specific in the country.

A statement issued to Daily Trust yesterday by Professor Oladapo Afolabi, the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and water Resources stated this at the weekend.

He said after consultation with the state governors, the federal government, merely announced the establishment of an intervention fund and as well declared the account balance in the Natural Resources Development account to be N80 billion which is generated from the 1.68 percent accruing to it from the federation account.

He further said the amount announced by Governor Olusegun Agagu was to help the country in the development of a short and medium term facilities towards self sufficiency in food and not for importation of rice alone.

The statement did not give the exact amount dedicated for importation of rice but insisted that, the federal government would only be involved at the diplomatic level.

The statement read in part, "The Federal Government is playing the role of a catalyst by exploring the diplomatic channel of Government-to-Government cooperation. Therefore, the role of the Federal Government is to ensure favourable and prompt disposition of major rice producing countries to do business with commercial rice importers in Nigeria."

"For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources hereby re-affirm the position of the Federal Government in pursuing policies aimed at making Nigeria look inwards for food sufficiency and food security. The Ministry is presently fine-tuning its medium and long term strategies in repositioning Nigerian Agriculture."

[Muhsin]

Husnaa kenan, in most cases i dont like the way you directly
accused "politicians" over the recent crisis, though they might
be involved amma so insignificant.  The person to be blamed
most which i now come to understand is the "Public Servant"
who has always been the custodian of "policy implementation".

The public servant is the most corrupt nigerian.You have to connive with him to carry out any corrupt practise or else it will not work.The public service needs to be sanitized before corruption can be rid from the country.

Gogannaka, don't just support your friend (DB) like this...so easily without taking 'close' look at what he'd said. LOL ;D I can guess why?

To me, politicians are most (apparently) corrupted people in Nigeria. Yet I agree that they could't execute their action without helping-hand of public servants. Amma fa, remember, for example, whats presently coming out from that public hearing on Abuja...most of the ppl alleged to have done the 'bad' things are POLITICIANS. Why? Because they are politicians. They know that their stay is just a matter of 4 (or 8) year period. Thus they usually say 'let me do what I can to enrich myself and my beloved ones before the termination of my period'.  Amma kasan there are public servants there (Min. of Abuja and ..., as for example). Kai there are lots of more examples on that.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources hereby re-affirm the position of the Federal Government in pursuing policies aimed at making Nigeria look inwards for food sufficiency and food security. The Ministry is presently fine-tuning its medium and long term strategies in repositioning Nigerian Agriculture."

Kamar by/through doing what and what? Am surprised!

[gogannaka]

Muhsin i am not supporting BD because he promised me a Shuwa Arab.
On a serious note,i believe the civil servants to be the orchestrators
and mainteners of corruption in Nigeria.A common clerk or messenger can
kulla badakala that a president cannot/can never undo.Shegu ne kana ganin su.
Take a look at the ministry of health scandal. It was the perm sec and Director
admin(both civil servants) that actually masterminded the sharing of the unspent
300 million.To add salt to injury they(civil servants) decided to give the minister
of state (a politician) a mere 1.5 million from the loot while some of them got as
much as 25 million. So i am not just supporting my aboki  :)

Ka je ka nemi kwangila a federal ko state govt ka ga yadda civil servants suke
sha'anin su.

[Dan-Borno]

Muhsin, its you that is supporting your aunty with out any
foundation - how can you even site the Abuja scandal and
claim that it is ochestrated by politicians, may be you did not
fing the opportunity of watching the active participation of
the different Directors at the Ministry.

The Hon. Minister stated clearly that he only sign the CofO
while the processings where done by the officers who are
Directors & Co.

However, GGNK has given you an assignment, go to any of the
Ministries and seek for contract - may be your eyes will open
more wider.

[HUSNAA]

The problem with our politicians I think is that they tend to regard this money as their own not baitul mali's ajiya. So it appears to them that they have a money glut and can afford to waste it any how.

Husnaa kenan, in most cases i dont like the way you directly
accused "politicians" over the recent crisis, though they might
be involved amma so insignificant.  The person to be blamed
most which i now come to understand is the "Public Servant"
who has always been the custodian of "policy implementation".

He hehe DB kenan! To kai in banda abinka, ai politicians are public servants as well. Lets put it another way: Not every public servant is a politician, but every politician is a public servant as long as he is holding an office or is appointed to do something for the ppl. Kuma bayan haka, ai politicians dinne a ke kama wa with the most horrendous acts of theft and thievery, ko ba haka ba? Ina su alamesiegha or what ever his name is.. ina su james ibori? ina su saminu turaki? ina su ba politicians bane? were they not policy implementers as well? (albeit at a higher hierarchy?)

another project is to desalinize ocean water for domestic and agric uses. It sounds fantastic but its very possible to do, only very expensive.

kindly elaborate on this desalinize ocean water.
[/quote]

Desalinize? remove the salt out of the water to make it drinkable and usable in general.

[Dan-Borno]

our only online aunty, yes, politicians who are occupying
public office are public servants, no dispute, but those
we are referring to me and GGNK are the ordinary civil servants,
that is why i sighted examples with Perm. Sec. and Directors
which of course are not politicians but career civil servants.

You raised the issue of Alameyeseiga (irin wanna suna mai
wuyan rubutawa), I agree they steal, however, what we are
arguing is if at all the civil servants (not political office holders)
did not comply with their verbal instructions and insist that
it must be done the legitimate way, i doubt much if Turaki
or whoever is the Governor of a State will just go to the Bank
and transfer some money into his private account.

Take this scenario as an example:

Bakangizo is the Governor of Ikko State, on the 15th of Jan.,
2002 he is expected to conduct the Local Govt. election in his
State and his ruling party Wawura Personal Party (WPP) has
vowed to capture all the L.G.A's, He now directed that enough
funds be released to all the Party Chairmen of the Local Govts.
to ensure that money reaches all corners.  There was no budgetary
provision which says that States' money be utilised for sponsoring
a political party - The Commissioner of Finance Mr. King was confronted on
how to source money, he in turn informed his permanent secretary
Ummita who advised that a memo requesting for N1b for purposes
of computerising the Ministry of Finance and training of staff at
America be raised.  The Hajiya Ummita (Who is a career civil servant)
directed the Director in charge of "Computer" and "Training" EMTL
and the memo was raised advicing Government on the need to
computerise the Ministry of Finance payroll system so as to ward off
ghost workers and Government should also approve the training of
the Ministry's staff at an American institute.  The Permanent Secretary
Ummita in her usual old stuff language convinced the state and forwarded the
matter to Mr. King who in turn went to His Excellency Bakangizo who
approved the money single handedly which will be later RATIFIED at the Executive
Council Meeting (an avenue created by civil servants to steal money.)

The money was approved, it was the Perm. Sec who in conjunction
with his Chief Accountant Malam Muda will raise a Cheque of that amount, they are
the signatories, fake contract document will be written by the Ministry's
Legal Officer Mr. IBB  and the money removed from the governments' account and
distributed among all the local government by His Excellency Bakangizo.

It is the Director Computer and Training in conjunction with his staff
print bogus receipts and invoices of all expenses, including Airticket
and Certificate of Attendance in America making their accounting book
look neat while both internal and external auditors will be compensated
adequately.

Who are the active actors?

Lets assume the Permanent Secretary Mr. King insist that the money being
released must be utilized for the purposes intended, at worst it can only
cost him retirement, so also the next Perm. Sec.  Lets assume all the
Civil Servants refuse to cooperate?  Can the Hon. Commissioner and
Bakangizo be able to get the N1b for sponsoring their political parties?

Now, each State is getting its share of fertilizer for the farming season,
the fertilizers are supposed to be sold at a subsidized rate, but when you go
to the Ministry of Agriculture you only negotiate with the procurement officer
and a whole allocation of a Local Govt. could be diverted to one person
thereby creating artificial scarcity.

The public servant is the most corrupt nigerian.You have to connive with him to carry out any corrupt practise or else it will not work.The public service needs to be sanitized before corruption can be rid from the country.

An gaisheka GGNK.

NB

All characters mentioned in the above scenario is not
intended to portray anyone in a bad way but just for
the fun of the forum.

[HUSNAA]

Na dai gano bakin zaren. When u refer to politicians, u mean Dan Borno, the Politician without a portfolio!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D..
BTW, u seemed pretty conversant with the Wuruwuru u sure  are not a public servant either??   ;)

[gogannaka]

LOL,an excellent description DB.

It is the civil servant that implements any govt policy and thier inefficiency
hampers the actualization of any policy.
El rufai wanted to achieve an efficient workforce i don't know what happened
but it is the kind of reform we need now.

[hafiz amin umar]

I was told that America is now converting grains to bio-fuels thats why there is shortage of food globally,the major supplies of rice,like thailand,india,brazil and usa itself,America is buying from them at a very exuberant price,they said by the year 2025,no car in america will use petrol as a source of fuel.