The House of Representatives has made the decision to look into the national privatization and concession of Federal Government silos. The resolution was passed after a motion made in plenary in Abuja by Representative Inuwa Garba (APC-Gombe). He claimed in his motion that the federal government has given the private sector concessions over 22 of its 33 Silo complexes nationwide.
Examining the conditions behind the privatization or concession of those silos for the nation’s grain storage, he added, was imperative. According to Garba, an investigation of the entire procedure—including the standards by which private businesses were chosen—was imperative.
The lawmaker continued by saying that this was because the silos were essential to guaranteeing food security and access to affordable grains across the country. He also said that transparency in the bidding process must be proven to ensure accountability in public administration and uphold the principles of fairness and equity.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of priority, consider subsidizing agriculture to revitalize the economy and improve food security in Nigeria.
The House mandated the Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Privatisation and Commercialization, Public Assets, to investigate the privatisation and concession of 22 out of 33 government silos.
The House also resolved that other critical national assets of the government negotiated without due process must be probed and investigated.
It urged the committee to report back within four weeks for further legislative action. Meanwhile, Garba, while explaining the motion at a news conference, said it was wrong for the government to have privatized or concessioned the silos.
“I feel it is very wrong to privatize the silos that are meant for the government to have food security by having food storage in order to support and alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.”
