The Benue State commissioner of agriculture and natural resources, Mr. Benjamin Ashaver has allayed growing fears among farmers in the state over alleged back hand deals in the fertilizer distribution exercise in the state as he put records straight on the activities in the sector.

The commissioner, who spoke at a meeting of fertilizer distribution committee heads for the 23 local government areas of the state in Makurdi, corroborated the position of the committees that there were no back hand deals in fertilizer distribution in the state.

He said the state government has so far distributed 837 trucks of fertilizer to the respective mini depots in the state while a balance of 300 trucks is still awaiting distribution. This, according to him, was fairly distributed and according to demand by farmers.

He said the ministry’s contractors ran into hitches in the procurement as a result of the rising cost of diesel, but added that a new contractor has been engaged to lift 434 trucks for the state. He said the new procurement would also be fairly distributed on delivery.

Mr. Benjamin Ashaver said the noise about diversion of fertilizer could not be ruled out in a state like Benue considering the high demand for the product in the state, explaining that the complaint about the ministry’s alleged role in short changing certain areas were just part of the "excitement that comes with the season."

He further explained that as a link to so many states of the federation, truck loads of fertilizer are bound to pass through Benue on a daily basis, adding "but that does not mean that any truck that passes through the state belongs to us.

"It does not mean that somebody is diverting our fertilizer to other states. As a link to other state, trucks of fertilizer must pass through Benue . That is a fact", he added.

He also said a lapse was identified at the ministry in Makurdi when it used to sell out bags to farmers on individual bases, explaining that persons who came up to purchase few bags were re-selling same just outside the premises of the ministry to some businessmen. "But we found out the trick and stopped selling to people at the ministry in Makurdi. Everybody must get allocation at the local government level through the respective committees. The committees are doing a great job; they must identify one as a farmer before giving allocation. I commend them", he added.