Niger State Governor in Northcentral Nigeria, Mohammed Umar Bago, has declared Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week as public holidays to facilitate the efficient distribution of palliatives to residents.
Governor Bago disclosed this during his inaugural Press Conference held at the Government House in Minna. He revealed that the state government has allocated an additional N250 million to supplement the N5 billion palliative assistance provided by the Federal government.
Here are the key highlights of the distribution plan:
N2 billion in cash has already been received from the Federal government.
Wards in Suleja, Chanchaga, Bida, and Kontagora Local Governments are set to receive N20 million each.
The remaining 21 Local Government Areas will each receive N10 million.
Traditional Institutions will benefit from N80 million.
Internally Displaced Persons are allocated N75 million.
Logistics and Organized Labour will receive N110 million.
Political parties will be granted N150 million.
All of these funds are scheduled to be deposited into the Local Government Council accounts by Monday next week and will subsequently be infused into the local markets in the state.
In addition to the monetary assistance, the government plans to distribute five trucks of Rice to each Ward in the 25 Local Government Areas and anticipates receiving 40,000 bags of Maize from the Federal government, with an additional 10,000 bags provided by the state for distribution to all polling units across the state.
Governor Bago emphasized that these palliatives are not free, as the State and Local Governments will repay 58% of the N5 billion over 20 months, while the Federal government retains 42%.
Local Government and Ward Committees will determine the types of food items to purchase based on the needs of their communities. Standing Committees, consisting of former and current public office holders, will oversee the efficient distribution of the palliatives in their respective Constituencies.
To mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal, the state government will provide 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Luxurious Buses for free public transportation to students and pupils in public schools. Civil servants will also enjoy discounted rates, with 100 of the buses serving the Suleja to Abuja route and the remainder distributed across Minna and other Local Government Areas.
On the agriculture front, the government is taking significant steps to enhance food security. The Ministries of Lands and Agriculture have been directed to allocate 10,000 hectares of arable land in every Local Government, aiming for 250,000 cleared arable lands by December 2023. Farm machinery will also be provided, with plans to employ 500,000 youths in agricultural activities and 400,000 women as Shea nut pickers.
In the realm of education, the revival of bursary payments for students is on the horizon.
Governor Umaru Bago concluded by urging Nigerlites to be patient, emphasizing his administration’s unwavering commitment to serving them better. However, he sternly warned that any individual found engaging in fraudulent practices during the palliative distribution would face imprisonment as a deterrent to others.
