Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertiliser for Nigerian farmers to ensure the attainment of food security.
Shettima stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and the Federal Government, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
The stakeholders at the meeting also includes the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting focused on the 33,000 metric tonnes of Potash donated to the Federal Government by Russia’s Uralchem Group and UN Partners.
NAN recalled that during the last Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg, Russia, in July, the Federal Government delegation met with the leadership of Uralchem Group and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The meeting centred on the donation of a consignment of 33,000 metric tonnes of potash.
Shettima said “our goal is to serve the Nigerian people as President Tinubu is very passionate about reducing the cost of fertilisers for the Nigerian public.
“No strings attached, no vested interest and the President will be happy if the price of fertilisers collapses by 50 per cent after this exercise.”
The vice president stated that Tinubu gives high premium to achieving the agenda of food security in the country.
“This accounts for the declaration of the state of emergency in food security sector by the Tinubu administration in July.
“We have many challenges with food security. However, we are lucky because President Tinubu is very empathetic and passionate about achieving food sufficiency in the country.”
He stressed on the seriousness attached to the donation and distribution of potash from Uralchem Group.
