Makurdi — Benue State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Benjamin Ashaver has said that his ministry is targeting an improved fertilizer distribution to farmers by 2009 cropping season, having learnt from the lapses of this year's programme.

He assured farmers in the state of better distribution network by next year as he explained why he ordered for a disciplinary against the Ushongo local government divisional agriculture officer whom he said disobeyed the ministry's directives on the sales of fertilizer.

Ashaver who spoke at a gathering in Makurdi, said the disciplinary action was a signals to other staff of the ministry that might have dubious intentions, saying it is no longer business as usual. He ordered the suspension of the divisional agric officer for selling fertilizer above government approved price and also ordered him to refund the excess monies collected. "I know that there are some inadequacies in the distribution system, because no system is perfect. We hope to make some consultations and by next year, we should make some changes. Having observed the lapses this year, we hope to block the lapses in the next round and I think there will be improvements", he said.