The recent distribution of Palliatives to the people of Kogi State have been eliciting commendation by the people. No doubt, the removal of fuel subsidy by the president Ahmed Bola Tinubu administration has caused untold hardship for the people of Nigeria, Kogi not an exception.
However, the governor took a very bold step by investing in the needs of the people by meeting their basic needs. The distribution of rice and other palliatives have greatly impacted the life citizens in Kogi.
Gov. Ododo Warns political appointees against diverting Palliatives meant for the poor .
Flagging off the distribution of the items the governor assured that things would be done differently.
To demonstrate this Governor Ofodo warned the political class against diverting the Palliatives meant for the poor and vulnerable people in the state, saying that they must allow the poor to breathe.
He equally promised to lead the monitoring team to ensure that the items gets to the target audience. (Poorest of the poorest).
The governor who emphasized the need for the people of the grassroots to benefit from the rice palliative, vowed to sanction political appointees that may wish to divert the bags of rice.
“This palliative is to alleviate the current hardship the people are passing through and it should reach the people at the grassroot. This intervention is meant for the people and modalities for distributions are water-tight and we have put a mechanism to apprehend and sanction those who may wish to divert the palliative.
“Government appointees are exempted from palliative. The palliative is not for APC alone , it is not meant for any religion or any political affiliations rather is it meant for the good people of Kogi State.
“I will not condone any act of indiscipline as I will personally monitor the distribution of the rice to ensure that the palliative reaches the downtrodden that gave us the mandate to serve them” the governor stated.
In her remarks, the state commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Rabiatu Okute , said the distribution of the palliative in Kogi was aimed at alleviating the suffering of citizens as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
She stated that the palliative which is the first and will be on quarterly basis will push hunger to zero level in the state.
“This palliative is part of the electioneering campaign promises of the governor and I am assuring the people that more dividend of democracy will be delivered by Governor Ododo led administration” she said.
Also in his goodwill message, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Gabriel Amari thanked the Governor for the palliative and assured that the Congress will ensure that the bags of rice will reach every worker in the state.
In appreciation, the people have been pouring out commendation on the government, speaking with our correspondent, Matthew Ochada, from Omala Local Government Area of the state said “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s timely intervention to ameliorate the biting pangs of hunger afflicting the people of Kogi State is a sagacious and commendable gesture worthy of emulation. By distributing food palliatives to the people hit by the current economic typhoon battering the nation, he has illuminated a heartening constellation of hope in these dreary times.
“The judicious process of selecting beneficiaries, prioritizing widows, the elderly, PWDs and the severely deprived, demonstrates his administration’s altruism and social conscience. The supplies of this palliative, modest as it seem, it’s a bulwark against destitution for many. This respite has calmed lingering resentments over governance in turbulent times, as provisions were granted irrespective of political allegiances
Alhaji Salifu Adejo the APC divisional party chairman of Idah LGA who represented the transition chairman of Idah local government area Hon. Amadi Ochijelo, “I am in Lokoja the State capital to take the consignment of our palliative out of the benevolent of the number one citizen of the state Alhaji Aed Usman Ododo who said stomach infrastructure should be given utmost priority, knowing fully well that Nigeria as a country is passing through a lot of challenges and 99 per cent are very hungry.
“The governor came up with this initiative of sharing rice to the people who need it most and this is a gesture the people of Kogi state can not forget in a hurry.
“Ododo has promised to run all inclusive government stated clearly that all people of the state must benefit from the palliative irrespective of political affiliation and religion.
“This palliative as we are taking it to Idah it will be distributed to the people who need it. There will be no sentiment in the distribution we will strictly adhere to the directive of the governor.
He said Every local government areas received 1200 bags of 50kg rice for onward distribution to the people at the grassroots.
“The food palliative is for every body and we will ensure that the rice reaches every corner of Ibaji local government
His words, Hon. Haruna Aliyu the caretaker chairman of Ajaokuta LGA. Said, “We thank God Almighty and we appreciate our Governor for putting smile on the faces of the downtrodden who are suffering as a result of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.
“The local government was given 1200 bags of rice and we have constituted a committee that will share the rice equitably to the people of 14 wards in the local government.
This rice belong to the people not any political party therefore it will reach every body especially those that need it most. Our Governor had warned during the flag off ceremony that the food palliative is for every body and on our part as leaders at the local level we will ensure that the rice gets to the people without any.
