Jonathan: Flood won’t lead to food shortage

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Friday urged Nigerians not to be afraid over threats of inadequate food supply arising from the recent flood disaster, which affected many states of the federation.
Jonathan gave this assurance when the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, led a delegation of FCT residents and clerics to pay Sallah homage to the President and Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa.
The President stated that the Federal Government had enough grains in the National Strategic Reserve, which would be released into the system.
He said: “Nigerians should not be afraid that there may be hunger in the land or shortage in food supply as a result of the food incident.
“We have enough grains in our strategic reserves.
“The percentage of the farmlands that have been affected by the recent flood is not so high.
“We have enough grains in the National Strategic Reserves that we will release if the nation is threatened by food shortage.
“But we are not threatened.
“The people hoarding grains are doing so at their risks and not in the best interest of the country.”
Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation, saying that the Administration was working hard to overcome its present challenges, including security.
On the plane crash in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday evening involving Governor Dambaba Suntai of Taraba State, Jonathan disclosed that necessary arrangement would be made to get the governor proper medical care.
“Arrangements are being made and if it is necessary to fly him out to get more medical treatment, we shall do so,” the President said.
He assured Muslim pilgrims that the incident that led to the deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims would not be repeated.
He said: “Let me state that the incident of the deportation of our female pilgrims will not happen again.
“There were some administrative lapses on our part, which contributed to it.
“We are already looking into the issue to prevent future occurrence.”
Earlier, Vice President Sambo had prayed for the Almighty Allah to strengthen the President to enable him successfully drive the ship of transformation in the country.
Sambo said: “His Excellency, the President has succeeded in providing security and adequate supply of power to the people.
“The President has also approved financial support to states affected by the recent flood disaster.
“It is our prayer that Allah would continue to grant you success in the transformation agenda.
“I call on all Nigerians to support the President and continue to pray for the Administration so that we can transform Nigeria into a developed country.”
The FCT Minister of State commended the President for bringing democratic dividends to Nigerians and creating jobs in different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, construction, oil and gas.
Akinjide prayed for God’s favour and direction upon the President and his family to enable them accomplish their developmental programmes for the country and the people of Nigeria.