Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu has flagged off the distribution of 24,734 bags of rice to the vulnerable, physically challenged as well as the needy in the state.
At the flag off ceremony in Government House Sokoto, Governor Aliyu said the free bags of rain were made up of 12,367 donated as palliatives by the Federal Government and another 12,367 procured by the State Government.
The Governor said the gesture is part of measures introduced by the federal and the state governments with a view to cushioning the effect of the current hardship being faced by Nigerians, coupled with the global economic downturn.
He reminded the people that President Tinubu “had sometimes back sent us 20 trucks of grains and 60 trucks of assorted fertiliser, which were all distributed to the masses across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State” saying “This magnanimity goes to prove to the world that we have a President with a listening ear, a kind- hearted and above all, a people’s President”.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who was at the flag-off said the 12,267,000 bags of rice allocated to Sokoto State are part of several measures being introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to cushion the effect of the hardship being faced in the country.
He said the Federal Government is making effort to make the country better through several economic reforms, and appealed to Nigerians to bear with the Federal Government as the hardship is temporary and will soon be over.
In his words, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and other Matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, called on the benefitting communities to utilise the food assistance given to them to cater for the food needs of their families.
Governor Aliyu had earlier said that since the inception of the present administration, a lot of assistance has been given out to the needy, including 9,200 bags of rice to the poor and orphans’ mothers in the 23 Local Government Areas and the provision of clothing to 18,400 male and female orphans.
Others were the distribution of 18,000 bags of rice and 900 bags of maize as well as financial assistance amounting to N360 million given to 5,000 Imams and Malaman zaure across the 23 local government areas of the state.
According to him, other items distributed as palliative by the State Government were 69,630 bags of assorted fertiliser as well as seedlings, pesticides and other farm inputs, all free of charge. He said the support is to encourage peasant farmers to produce more food for the state and the country amid the current food crisis.
The Sokoto State Government has also ordered the supply of 300 trucks of rice at N14 billion with each of the 244 wards to receive one truck that will be sold at 52% discounted rate.
Meanwhile, to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal and hike in petrol pump price, the administration of Governor Aliyu had purchased 120 buses and taxi cabs which have since been put to use offering very affordable fares and to assist people travel with ease.
“We have also procured 1,000 motorcycles and 500 tricycles all in an attempt to create more jobs and as well boost the transport sector of the state.
Former Sokoto State Governor and serving Senator, Aliyu Wamakko and former Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar II were among prominent personalities who attended the ceremony.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
