Exposed: How 4 Trailers Loads Of Fertilizers Allegedly Disappeared On Arrival At Plateau Agriculture Development Programme Office
Yakubu Busari
Information available to universalreporters247.com four trailers loads of fertilizers allegedly went missing on Monday night at about 10pm to 12pm midnight on its arrival at the Plateau Agriculture Development programme (PADP) office in Dutse uku, Plateau State.
Our correspondent gathered that farmers who have registered to buy fertilizers at a subsidized rate of 4,000 naira per bag being the official price cannot get to buy the fertilizer for this farming season, owning to activities of wholesalers in the open market and those who allegedly hijacked the distribution.
One of those whose names appeared on the list revealed that for the past one week they were asked to go to PADP office to check their names and pay for the fertilizers, which turned out to be a fresh drama.
“We were told officially that some of the fertilizers were brought in, few days ago were diverted by unknown persons which has allegedly heightened fears among top government officials “, she explained.
It was gathered that those whose names were released cannot get the fertilizer due to the activities of middle men who have overran the office while the genuine peasant farmers will not get.
She lamented that it’s high time the state government take seriously a very important step of monitoring the distribution of fertilizers to local farmers at all levels to reduce activities of agencies involved in the diversion.
“We no longer believe that with our money we can afford getting the fertilizer because of what is going on here, you see people coming in the night to load fertilizers and before day break it would disappear inside the store house “, they explained.
“PADP staffs are the ones doing this, there was a lady who saw a wristwatch being wore by someone, but when she asked the man of the price which she was told is 50,000 the lady converted it to fertilizer worth. What is this world turning into?
“We are worried that government officials keep doing this without them being punished, so one wonders whether they are aware of the plight of average villagers who are suffering and dying in silent.
“We are appealing to Governor Simon Lalong, as a matter of urgency to address the dangerous activities of defaulters of government plan and help us common people.
In an effort to speak with the permanent secretary of the ministry of Agriculture, Mr John Kum, calls made to his phone were not answered as he didn’t also reply a text message forwarded to him.
It would be recalled the Plateau state government under the able leadership of Governor Simon Bako Lalong agenda of revamping the agricultural sector to boost the state internally generated revenue will also suffer another setback, as a group of cartels in the business of buying and selling has been fingered for diverting these fertilizers.
It is also a sad moment that the Governor’s desire to promote agriculture and encourage more participation of youths in that sector may not yield any positive impact due to high level of corruption and none availability of the fertilizers , following connection by senior citizens.
