FG Set to Revitalize Silos Concession Programme, Reduce Postharvest Losses for Food Sovereignty
In an effort to attain Food and Nutrition Security, Economic Growth, and reduce Postharvest Losses, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has disclosed plans to revitalize the Silos Concession Programme for a resilient storage system that enhances grain storage and achieves sovereignty.
The Minister of Agriculture, Sen Abubakar Kyari, stated this in Abuja recently during a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), led by its Director General, Dr. Jobson Oseodian Ewalefoh.
Kyari highlighted the urgent need for revitalization of silo storage facilities in the country as a critical strategy to reduce Nigeria’s massive post-harvest losses, currently estimated at $10 billion annually, noting that “storage facilities are essential to our food security drive, as they directly address wastage and ensure year-round availability of staple crops.”
He stated that ‘’out of the 17 silo complexes concessioned to five private companies, only Flour Mills of Nigeria, which operates three silo complexes under three separate Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), has met all conditions and is performing optimally’’.
According to him, “the Ministry’s review process indicated that Several concessionaires failed to put silo facilities into optimal operating condition despite earlier agreements, Monitoring visits showed little or no progress in some facilities, with reported cases of vandalization, and perimeter fence collapse in locations such as Ikorodu and Ogoja.”
The Minister added that most of the concessionaires defaulted on their payment obligations, with only Flour Mills consistently meeting performance and financial conditions.
He disclosed that the Ministry would work closely with ICRC to intensify oversight function, enforce compliance, and ensure that only competent private operators manage silo facilities.
Kyari stated further that the renewed push aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda aimed at achieving food and nutrition security.
In his remarks, the Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodian Ewalefoh stated that only private companies with real operational needs for silos should be retained and advised that abandoned silos should be retrieved by the federal government.
He also pointed out that some concessionaires have failed to remit required returns to government coffers.
The Ministry’s Head, Department of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna in a statement disclosed that the highlight of the meeting was the setting up of a committee to review contractual clauses, assess performance, set clear operational guidelines, and develop a robust monitoring and evaluation framework.
