The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has assured the Federal Government that his administration would fortify the warehouses where grains will be kept from being hijacked or looted by hoodlums.

He also assured that the State Government would work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for effective distribution of grains from the National Reserve to beneficiaries in the state as directed by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking while playing host to the Zonal Director of NEMA, Southwest, Mr. Stephen Adewale in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, declared the preparedness of his administration to utilise all opportunities to ameliorate the current socio-economic challenges on citizens of the state.

Recently, The National Economic Council (NEC) directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately distribute grains to states within one or two weeks to bring down the prices of food items across the country.

The State Governor said President Tinubu should be commended for the initiative aimed at alleviating the current food scarcity in the country.

He also commended the agency for its timely intervention in disasters management across Nigeria while also charging the agency to be more proactive.

Governor Aiyedatiwa assured of his administration’s unalloyed support for NEMA stressing that the Federal Agency and its State counterpart; Ondo State Emergency Management Agency will continue to collaborate in more efficient ways to manage disasters.

“He assured that government

would provide security for the warehouses where the grains would be kept on arrival for upward distribution to the beneficiaries. Government would also ensure the warehouses are prevented from being hijacked or looted by hoodlums. Southwest Zones are peculiar, therefore grains suitable for this region should be sent,” the Deputy Governor declared.

Earlier, the Agency’s Southwest Zonal Director , Mr. Stephen Adewale, who thanked the state government for the necessary support and partnership on disaster management said “NEMA recently carried out some restructuring within the agency as part of efforts to ensure the Agency makes quick decision on issues regarding disasters management across the country .The cooperation of the state agency managing disaster and that of government would be needed to actualise the rationale behind the rejigging”, he said.

The NEMA Zonal Coordinator said the restructuring will lead to more efficient service delivery and aid the process of decision making on issues of disaster management.

Mr Adewale said the grains for Ondo State as directed by President Bola Tinubu would soon arrive, urging the State Government to as a matter of urgency constitute a committee for the effective distribution of the grains.