The federal government has described as fake news reports that south-west governors have rejected bags of rice donated for distribution to the vulnerable as palliatives to cushion the effects of lockdown aimed at controlling the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja Monday, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms Sadiya Farouk, said the rice was certified fit for consumption by the officials of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“On the issue of rice distribution, we distributed the rice to states. The (trucks of) rice were handed over to us by the Nigeria Customs Service and were assessed by NAFDAC, who issued a clearance before the goods were released for onward distribution to the states.
“So as far as we are concerned the rice were certified fit for human consumption. We had an issue in Oyo, which was officially reported this morning.
“But two or three days back we’ve seen news flying that all the rice we took to the South-West and parts of this country are bad.
“And that Lagos has taken its own to the lagoon and that other states have rejected them. I want to say categorically that those are fake news. They are not true.
“I just spoke with the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (Fayemi) and he assured me that the ones he received in Ekiti and other states are in good condition.
“Let us be very clear on this issue of rice. We all know that even in our houses if we keep food stuff, especially grains of that nature in a damp place, they are bound to have a change in colour.
“But that does mean that it is not fit for human consumption. So please this is what I can say about the issue of rice and they (beneficiaries) are very happy that the Federal Government is supporting them,” she said.
The minister also spoke on alleged diversion of payment from N-Power to COVID-19, saying “it is practically impossible to divert funds that have been appropriated because of the TSA. This is fake news.“
