Anxiety is mounting as only a few states have received the 20 trucks of rice palliative allocated by the Federal Government to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A weekend survey revealed that apart from Kano in the north and Oyo in the southwest, most states have not received their consignments.
In the South-South region, officials in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa confirmed receiving their rice palliative, while Delta, Edo, and Cross River states reported no arrivals. Similarly, in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, states like Katsina, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, and Sokoto have yet to receive their allocations.
The Federal Government had announced last Monday that 740 trucks of rice were allocated to be distributed to the 36 states and the FCT, each receiving 20 trucks with 1,200 bags of 25kg rice. The distribution aimed to alleviate the hardship caused by the current economic conditions.
Delta State: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed that Delta had not received its share of the palliative as of Friday.
Bayelsa State: Information Commissioner Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai confirmed that Bayelsa received 20 truckloads of rice. SEMA Chair Hon Walama Igrubia corroborated this.
Akwa Ibom State: Commissioner for Information Ini Ememobong stated that Akwa Ibom received 24,000 bags of rice from the Federal Government, supplemented by another 24,000 bags from the state government.
Rivers State: The consignment arrived on Wednesday, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara set up a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for distribution. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, confirmed the setup during the joint flag-off with NEMA.
Katsina State: Public Relations Officer Bello Mamman indicated that the rice had not arrived as of Friday.
Plateau State: Commissioner for Information Musa Ashoms confirmed the consignment was yet to arrive.
Borno State: Both the North East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Sirajo Garba Maidugu, and Borno State Emergency Management Agency DG, Mohammed Barkindo, stated they had not received the rice.
Kaduna State: Officials, including the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, did not respond to inquiries regarding the rice palliative.
Oyo State: Officials began distributing the rice, with the exercise led by Governor Makinde’s deputy, Bayo Lawal.
Ondo State: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed the state had not received the trucks of rice.
Osun State: Commissioner for Information Kolawole Alimi reported no rice palliative received.
Ogun State: Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, stated the state was awaiting its consignment.
Ekiti State: Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the rice had not been delivered.
Kwara State: Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security indicated no rice had arrived.
Sokoto State: Commissioner for Agriculture Muhammadu Bello Wamakko confirmed no rice received.
Zamfara State: DG Media and Communication to the Governor, Malam Nuhu Salisu Anka, confirmed no allocation received.
Kebbi State: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, confirmed the state was yet to receive the consignment.
Benue State: Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, reported no rice received, although other palliatives from NEMA and the Northern Governors’ Forum had been delivered.
Niger State: Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Aisha Babadoko, and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, both confirmed no rice palliative had arrived.
The widespread delays and lack of clarity regarding the rice distribution are causing significant concern among state governments and citizens, who are awaiting the promised relief amid ongoing economic challenges.
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