Adamawa distributes 60,000 bags of rice to vulnerable persons
Story from Usman IBRAHIM, Yola
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has flagged off the distribution of free 60,000 bags of 25kg rice to vulnerable households as palliative to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Speaking during the distribution in Yola, Fintiri said the commodity which was initially designed to be sold at a subsidized rate will now be distributed freely and the cost will be shared between state and local governments.
He said that the free distribution is with the exemption of committee members and elites.
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The Governor said the rice should be given to people irrespective of party affiliations to help mitigate hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
“Specifically we are beginning with the distribution of 60,000 25kg bags of rice free of charge to vulnerable households irrespective of party affiliation.
“Committee members and the elites should be sidelined in this template,” he said.
In addition to this, Governor Fintiri said the state government in collaboration with federal and local governments is procuring large quantity of food items especially rice and maize for distribution to people.
He said the government has already commenced payment of special allowances to civil servants and pensioners, and distributed nearly 100 trucks of high quality fertilizer to workers and farmers as well as purchased 10 luxurious buses to ease transport difficulties.
“Let me said that the current economic hardships, especially the high cost of food items is not only due to fuel subsidy removal nor only peculiar to Nigeria, but some of the factors include Russia and Ukraine war as well as climatic change,” he said.
Fintiri said the government would renew the campaign for planting of more trees with great vigour, saying the measure would protect and help sustain the environment and livelihood.
He called on farmers to resist the temptation of selling their farm produce shortly after harvest, and reassured that the government would continue to encourage and support people to embrace dry season farming.
In his address, Auwal Tukur, Chairman Committee for Co-ordination and Distribution of Palliatives, said the programme was meant to bring succour to the people.
Tukur who is the Secretary to State Government, SSG, assured that the committee would do everything possible to ensure a hitch free distribution.
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