The Federal Government, FG, has announced that steps are being taken to overhaul its silo concession programme as part of a broader strategy to combat post-harvest losses and achieve food sovereignty.
The move comes as the country aims to revitalize its food storage infrastructure and reduce the estimated $10 billion in annual agricultural waste.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced the plan during a recent meeting in Abuja with a delegation from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
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Kyari emphasised that improving storage facilities is critical to ensuring a consistent supply of food crops throughout the year.
The Minister’s office revealed that a review of 17 silo complexes previously leased to five private companies showed poor performance by most operators.
Only Flour Mills of Nigeria, which manages three of the complexes, was found to be performing optimally and meeting its financial and operational commitments.
According to Kyari, other concessionaires failed to get the facilities into working condition, with some sites experiencing vandalism and structural damage.
Kyari stressed that the government, in collaboration with the ICRC, will intensify its oversight and enforcement to ensure that only capable private partners manage these facilities.
This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for agricultural transformation and food security.
ICRC Director-GeneralJobson Ewalefoh supported the government’s stance, suggesting that the federal government should reclaim any abandoned silos from non-performing companies.
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He also noted that several concessionaires have failed to make their required payments to the government.
To move forward, a joint committee has been formed to review the existing contracts, evaluate the performance of concessionaires, and establish clear guidelines for monitoring and evaluation.
