EKITI STATE GOVERNOR, BIODUN OYEBANJI HAS REITERATED HIS ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT TO FOOD SECURITY THROUGH A SEAMLESS SUPPLY CHAIN AND EFFECTIVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ACROSS THE STATE.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE OUNJE EKITI RETAIL OUTLET AND ILU EYE AGGREGATION HUB IN ADO-EKITI, THE GOVERNOR EMPHASIZED THE GOAL TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD LOCALLY AS PART OF THE FEDERAL MANDATE TO FIGHT HUNGER AND POVERTY.
HE REVEALED THAT OVER 50 BILLION NAIRA HAS BEEN INVESTED IN AGRIBUSINESS, WITH THE NEW HUBS ALREADY AGGREGATING LARGE QUANTITIES OF WHITE BEANS, RICE PADDY, MAIZE, AND GARRI FROM LOCAL FARMERS FOR DISTRIBUTION AT BELOW-MARKET PRICES.
OYEBANJI DESCRIBED THE INITIATIVE AS A STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES, INCLUDING POST-HARVEST LOSSES, POOR STORAGE, AND MIDDLEMEN EXPLOITATION, WITH STRICT RETAIL CONTROLS TO PREVENT HOARDING AND PROFITEERING.
COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE, EBENEZER BOLUWADE, AND COMMISSIONER FOR FINANCE, AKINTUNDE OYEBODE, BOTH PRAISED THE PROJECT’S LONG-TERM ECONOMIC IMPACT, NOTING THAT IT IS DESIGNED NOT AS PALLIATIVE RELIEF BUT AS A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM TO ENSURE FOOD AFFORDABILITY YEAR-ROUND.
