FG faults Lagos master bakers’ claim on cassava fund

The Federal Government yesterday faulted the statement made
by Lagos State master bakers that its members in Lagos
State never enjoyed the Federal Government’s disbursement of
the N2.2 billion cassava bread fund since 2013.
The National Chairman of Master Bakers Association, Simeon
Abamulo, who stated this in Abuja noted that about 171
bakers across the nation were beneficiaries and that 96
master bakers across the country have received their
equipment.
“This is spread according to the geo-political zones. Six geo-
political zones got something, at least four equipment
including Lagos State,” he stated.
According to him, the balance of the equipment have not been
received because of the delay of Bank of Industry (BoI), which
it promised that on or before next week it will mobilise the
supplies.
Reacting to the statement made by the chairman of the Lagos
State master bakers that N14 million given to them was too
much and that N5 million should be enough for each,
Abamunlo stressed that even with the N14 million they are still
managing it.
“The N5 million cannot even buy one rotary ovum, which costs
about N7 million and other equipment that cost millions which
they know.”
“The chairman himself is among the beneficiaries and others
in Lagos State who are blackmailing this. This is not the time
to play politics with food security.
“The Minister of Agriculture is doing everything within his
reach to make sure that food sufficiency and security is
obtained,” Abamulo stated.
Also speaking, National Provost, Jude Okafor, noted that out
of N2.2 billion, N886 million has been received from BoI, which
was given to the equipment supplies to supply equipment to
the master bakers which they have done.
According to him, out this N886 million, 96 have benefited,
including Lagos State.