Kwara State Government Commences Distribution of Bags of Rice

To cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidies on the most vulnerable, the Kwara State Government has flagged off the distribution of rice palliatives to the most vulnerable persons in the state.

According to the committee in charge of the distribution, the plan was to share at least 250,000 10kg bags in the first phase.

In an attempt to ensure non-partisanship, fairness, and equity, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on August 22, inaugurated the 12-person committee to coordinate the distribution of the palliatives purchased with the N2bn so far received from the Nigerian Government.

At the flag-off of the distribution in Ilorin, the state capital, the Governor said; “The palliatives are only a show of empathy with the people as more sustainable initiatives are being implemented in phases.”

According to the Governor, this is only a fraction of what the government has done to identify with the people at this very critical moment of our national life.

Governor AbdulRazaq said that the Palliatives are a stop-gap measure to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidies on the most vulnerable.

The Governor disclosed that over the last few weeks, the government has rolled out different palliative measures to support the people in the formal and informal sectors.

He said that the government had distributed the five trucks of rice it received from the Nigerian Government.

“Beneficiaries will be identified on a nonpartisan basis by the committee of eminent people of the day and Kwara state.

“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 by the timetable and logistics of the committee”, he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq stated that the most important aspect of the event is not the quantity or the sheer reach of the grains to be distributed but the most significant thing is the spirit of empathy that is behind what we are doing.

The government at all levels empathized with the people across all social strata of the society as they are committed to taking every step possible to help them cope with the inconveniences of this time.

Governor AbdulRazaq said that “huge investments are being made to boost the manufacturing sector, strengthen local production of food through commercial agriculture, local production and electric vehicles, and mass employment for young people in different aspects of the economy.”

He urged the people to trust the committee to do justice to the assignment, bearing in mind that the whole essence of this modest effort is to show concern for the plight of the people, especially the most vulnerable.

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

The committee chairperson, 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.

Agro Nigeria / Foluke Ibitomi