The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has strongly condemned Governor Alia’s mishandling of fertiliser payments.
According to the party, the current administration failed to fulfil its financial obligations to fertiliser suppliers from the previous farming season.
With the onset of the rains signalling the beginning of a new agricultural cycle, PDP warned of a looming crisis of food insecurity.
This was stated in a press release issued on Friday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor.
He noted that the Alia administration’s inaction undermines the efforts of farmers who rely heavily on timely access to crucial agricultural inputs such as fertiliser.
“The continued delay in payments has disheartened the community of suppliers and contractors, many of whom are now reluctant to supply the much-needed fertiliser for the coming season,”; Nyor said.
“This regrettable and entirely avoidable crisis is set to worsen an already fragile situation—exacerbated by ongoing herdsmen attacks that have displaced hundreds of thousands of Benue farmers.
“As we stand at the threshold of a new planting season, the PDP questions the Alia administration’s commitment to agricultural resilience. We seek an explanation for the abrupt transfer of responsibility for fertiliser procurement and distribution from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.
“Does this suggest disarray within the administration, or is it a tacit admission of bureaucratic failure?”;
Nyor added that investigations indicate the governor’s dissatisfaction with the official heading the agency tasked with procuring fertilisers, seedlings, and herbicides.
“While we understand that the non-payment issue may be tied to suspected fraudulent practices, it is baffling that the same individual has been recommended for a higher position at the Lower Benue River Basin Authority. How can someone who has failed in their duties be in line for promotion?”; he queried.
He stressed that the party is urgently calling on Governor Alia to act swiftly and decisively to address the situation by settling all outstanding payments to fertiliser suppliers and contractors.
“The era of empty promises is over; Benue’s farmers require real, immediate support to till their lands and safeguard the food security of our state,”; Nyor concluded.
