The Federal Government has commenced free distribution of fresh palliatives with 26,404 bags of maize, millet and sorghum to vulnerable Nigerians in Sokoto state.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, inaugurated the distribution on Sunday in Sokoto.
Speaking while flagging off the items, Kyari said that the efforts were aimed at cushioning the economic hardships faced by citizens in the state and the gesture would cover all the 36 states of the federal and FCT.
He explained that the exercise was part of the fulfilment of President Bola Tunubu’s promise to reduce the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced in the country.
He added that it was also in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, Mr President as he rightly approved the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto state, said the current economic hardships affect people across the globe and commended President Tunibu on the initiative as well chosen Sokoto to be flagged off in the state.
Aliyu assured to adhere to stipulated guidelines for distribution and urged committee members to live up to the expectations.
He charged committee members to be transparent in all dealings and pledged to argue the Federal Government’s efforts through the provision of more palliative support to cushion people’s hardships.
Also speaking, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, said based on the allocation table, Sokoto State has been allocated 10,120 bags of maize, 11,960 bags of sorghum and 4,324 bags of millet.
“Based on the directives of Mr President, 20 per cent of the food items due for each LGA should be given to religious organizations and 3 per cent to boarding schools in the local government areas,” she said
According to her, distribution committees were Instituted in each LGA which is made up of the Chairman of the LGA, State Emergency Management Agency and a Traditional Ruler.
Umar said membership of the committees included representatives of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Faith-Based Organisations and the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees.
She added others were the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Women’s Associations, Persons With Disability Groups, Youth Associations, Principals of Boarding Schools, Civil Society Organizations and the Media.
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