Kwara begins distribution of 250,000 bags of rice

Forum 7 months ago

Kwara begins distribution of 250,000 bags of rice

The Kwara State Government on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of rice palliatives to the most vulnerable persons in the state, with the committee saying that it would share at least 250,000 10kg bags in the first phase.

At the flag-off of the distribution in Ilorin, the state capital, the Governor, Mallam Abdul Rahman Abdulrasaq said the palliatives are only a show of empathy with the people as more sustainable initiatives are being implemented in phases.

He was represented by the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Salihu-Danladi.

The Governor said, “This is only a fraction of what we have done to identify with the people at this very critical moment of our national life. Palliatives are a stop-gap measure to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on the most vulnerable among us.

“Today, we are flagging off the distribution of the first consignments of rice we purchased with the N2bn so far received from the Federal Government. We are distributing at least 250,000 10kg bags of rice in this phase.

“Beneficiaries will be identified on a nonpartisan basis by the committee of eminent Kwarans. This committee has continued to consult with different blocs of our communities as well as evidence-based registers of vulnerable people domiciled with key agencies of government such as health insurance, primary healthcare agencies, as well as the World Bank. Distribution will be done in accordance with the timetable and logistics of the committee.”

The committee chairperson, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi said the flag-off marked the beginning of the exercise, which would see the palliatives being taken to all the 16 local governments after agreeing on the modalities with all the stakeholders and interest groups.

“The committee has the mandate to distribute approximately 250,000 bags of 10kg rice and advise the government on effective deployment of the N1bn worth of maize from the Maize Reserve (SMR) through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Livestock Farmers across the state,” she said.

The President, Kwara State Artisans Congress, Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina applauded AbdulRazaq for this initiative aimed at cushion the effects of fuel subsidy.