Alleged diversion of Fertilizers: We’ve returned back to dark days era where lies, blackmail recorded as an achievements to some people – Toto LG Chairman fumes
….Says Impromptu change of venue hampered distribution process
Honourable Aliyu Abdullahi Tashas, Executive chairman of Toto local government area of Nasarawa State has revealed all that transpired during the recent flagged off and distribution of 1200 free 50Kg federal government fertilizers provided to farmers in Toto local government towards uplifting this year farming activities.
Tashas spoke on Thursday in reaction to allegation of diversion of fertilizers, revealing that the distribution was success despite sabotage from within who want to be known for doing nothing.
The Chairman expressed concerned that some people will only get to power to lie and Blackmail other on the basis that they want to be known and shows up.
According to him, such people do not last long in leadership if they don’t change for their own good.
While clearing air on the controversy trailing the distribution of Fertilizer to farmers in Toto local government, Tashas said he would have kept quite pending the outcome of the investigation since a petition has been initiated by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Shuaibu Labaran Magaji as to know who and who was involved in diverting the agricultural commodities.
According to the Chairman, Toto LG received 1200 50kg Fertilizers from Federal Government through Nasarawa State Government on 13th July, 2024.
The Chairman in a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Senior Special Assistant, SSA, on Media and publicity, Yahaya Idris Toto, stated that prior to arrival of the Fertilizer, a committee was setup and headed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna as Chairman and his counterpart Commissioner for Justice, Hon Shuaibu Labaran Magaji served as Co-Chairman
While himself alongside, JNI, CAN, traditional rulers from Toto, Buga-Karmo, Nakuse, Umaisha, and others served as members of the committee.
He explained that the Chairman of the Committee and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gwamna Gaza held a stakeholders meeting in the chairman office, Toto LGC secretariat, Saturday 6th July, 2024 with all committee members present except Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr Labaran Shuaibu Magaji who was not in attendance due to one reason or the other. The meeting for the committee to brainstorm towards a hitch free flaggoff and distribution as well to receive the State Deputy Governor, Dr. EmmanueL Akabe.
Speaking further the Chairman lamented that councilors who closer to the grassroots will have done better in area of distribution but were excluded from being part of the committee, adding that such will have promote fairness, equity and accountability, but his effort faced strict resistance on the order that no councilors allowed to be part.
“The Fertilizers was safely kept at the official residence of the council boss (Toto House), in council secretariat since it arrived Toto”
The committee prepared and fully to receive the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe for official flaggoff, the Chairman said he received a phone call that a new venue has been suggested by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Shuaibu Labaran Magaji.
He maintained that he couldn’t resist but rather cooperate with the commissioner as to have smooth and hitch free distribution.
After the earlier venue certified by all stakeholders and leaders of the committee change for a new venue at GSS Toto, confusion now set in, especially on how to relocate those Fertilizers to the new venue with another resources and there was not time.
“We started rushing in order to meet up with the schedule time but we only transfered 988 bags to the venue, while 212 remained in the store.”
The Chairman revealed that he was not the Committee chairman nor the Co-Chairman but sacrifice to mobilised resources for immediate evacuation of the agricultural products to a new venue, mounted several canopies and chairs to received the deputy governor.
During transferring of the Fertilizers, the deputy Governor and his convoy arrived Toto, those incharge of transferring the products has to stop in order not to distract the ongoing protocol.
The Chairman noted that they were able to transport only 988 bags to the venue, while the remaining 212 bags remained in the store, the aimed to halt continue evacuation was respect the already established protocol of the deputy Governor.
According to the Chairman, shortly after the flaggoff ceremony, the Health Commissioner Gaza Gwamna, himself and some security heads moved straight to the store on the spot assessment, where they met 212 bags and discovered that 18 bags was missing during transferring from initial venue to the GSS Toto the new venue.
The Chairman who expressed disappointment with the impromptu change of venue day fixed for flaggoff and distribution ceremony hampered the event and gives gratitude to God the success.
“Beneficiaries from 12 electoral wards in Toto LG were assembly during the event.
The statement quoted the chairman as appreciating the Federal and State government for providing Fertilizers for this year farming season and made it more easier for farmers in Toto towards bumper harvest.
He also commended the stakeholders who supported them to ensure success.
He however, advised some people to desist from lie and Blackmailing those that were doing the needful for their people.
He said getting a political office do not give anyone Authority to abused it and used it to lie and Blackmail others.
He described the ugly situation as return to the era of lie and Blackmail by those who think doing so will ben fit them.
