Sokoto State Government on Thursday received over 12,367 bags of rice as palliative from the federal government to assist the most vulnerable in the state
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, made the presentation to the state.
Bagudu said the gesture was part of a presidential initiative to support states in cushioning the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, stressing that fertilizer, grains and other food items were distributed earlier.
According to him, climate change and poor demographic planning among other issues have widened the hunger gap in the country. He added that these challenges were temporary given a long-term socioeconomic mechanism designed to salvage the nation.
He urged Nigerians to understand the situation and support President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda and strategic planning for meaningful developments.
Responding, the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu assured more support to ease people’s sufferings and ensure infrastructural developments across the country.
He said the state government has received 60 trucks of fertilizer and 20 trucks of grains that were distributed to the citizens free across the 23 local government areas of the state.
He also noted that the state government had also procured 12,367 bags of rice for free distribution while other bags were earmarked to be sold at half prices to citizens.
In addition, he said the state government had earlier distributed 9,200 bags of rice with N5,000 to the needy and Internally Displaced Persons through Zakat and the endowment commission.
He said his administration has procured 120 vehicles for interstates, township and local government transportation systems besides 1,000 motorcycles and 100 tricycles for youths to enhance the services to the residents.
Aliyu further assured of the state’s commitment to tackling hunger and other challenges limiting farm production, investment and revenue revitalization.