The House of Representatives has opened a formal investigation into the alleged non-release of ₦174.26 billion allocated for agricultural intervention programmes, lawmakers announced on Sunday.
The inquiry was initiated by the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, chaired by Hon. Bello Ka’oje, who urged all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as development partners, to cooperate fully with the fact-finding exercise.
According to Ka’oje, the probe — adopted following a motion in late January — will examine why the substantial funds, intended to support key agricultural initiatives, have not been released to their intended recipients. The committee also plans to scrutinise the persistently high cost of fertiliser, which has strained farmers and undermined food production nationwide.
The funds under scrutiny include donor-backed support from international partners such as the African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, aimed at bolstering agricultural input supply for crops including rice, wheat, maize, soya beans and cassava.
Ka’oje expressed concern that delays in making the funds available have contributed to missed planting windows and lower output in recent harvests, raising fears for food security in the upcoming agricultural seasons.
He warned that further delays could jeopardise additional donor support and undermine efforts to revitalise the sector, stressing the need for transparency, accountability and swift action from all stakeholders involved.
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