The federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has delivered a consignment of liquid gel fertilisers to flood victims in Anambra.

Zubaida Umar, the director general of NEMA, handed over the liquid gel fertilisers to Paul Odenigbo, executive secretary of Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (AnSEMA) in Awka on Friday.

Ms Umar, who was represented by Ngozi Echeazu, coordinator, Enugu zonal office of NEMA, said the fertiliser was approved under the national food security council for farmers affected by the 2018 flood in Anambra.

She said that the liquid gel fertiliser was a replacement for the balance of NPK fertiliser approved for Anambra under the NESC-EAI for states affected by the 2018 flood.

Ms Umar said that the distribution, which started in 2020, was not concluded due to the changes in the regulations, which led to the termination of the contract between NEMA and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority for the supply of NPK fertiliser.

The DG, who explained that one litre of liquid gel fertiliser was equivalent to 50 kg of NPK 20-10-1O fertiliser, added that the process of procuring the liquid gel fertiliser from certified and licenced suppliers commenced in 2022 and was concluded in February 2024.

She said that following the termination of the contract for the supply of NPK fertiliser and based on recommendations from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ” it is my pleasure to confirm that as of today, the supply of liquid gel fertiliser for Anambra has been completed.

”I am here to formally hand over this consignment to the Anambra government for onward distribution to benefit farmers.

“It is my pleasure to be here today at this official handover of liquid gel fertiliser, which is the balance meant for Anambra under the National Food Security Council Emergency Agricultural Intervention (NESC-EAI) for states affected by the 2018 flood.”

The DG, who appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts towards agricultural empowerment and food security in the state, appealed for timely distribution of the liquid gel fertiliser to intended beneficiaries.

Mr Odenigbo, who received the fertilisers on behalf of the Anambra government, thanked the federal government for the gesture and assured timely and judicious distribution. 

(NAN)