Wike Gives Foodstuffs To Omuma People … As Palliatives C’ttee Resumes Foodstuffs Distribution

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday, distributed foodstuffs to the less privileged people of Omuma Local Government Area of the state.
Wike, who was represented by the Chairman of Rivers State Palliatives Committee, Amb Desmond Akawor, said that the palliatives were meant for all less privileged people of the area, irrespective of their political party or association.
He said: “These foodstuffs and other palliatives measures have been put in place for the good of Rivers State, especially those who are less privileged.
“It is not meant for any political party. It is meant for all Rivers people and it is a means of the state government to support in this very difficult time.”
The governor said that the Rivers State Palliatives Committee has been expanded to include journalists and the civil society to address issues of complaints by members of the public.
He charged the ward distribution committees to ensure no section of the local government area was left out in the sharing of the palliatives.
Wike commended the people of Omuma Local Government Area for cooperating with his administration to ensure that Coronavirus is checked in all parts of the state.
The Paramount Ruler of Omuma, Eze Oyenkachi Amaonwu, said that the governor has always proved himself to be a caring and proactive leader.
In his remarks, member of the state House of Assembly representing Omuma State Constituency, Hon Kelechi Nwogu said that Omuma people were happy with Wike for reaching out to them as the entire state struggles to defeat the novel Coronavirus.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon Christian Nwaiwu, thanked the governor for his commitment to the welfare of the less privileged across the state.
Chief Godspower Egbegbu (Ward 2) assured that the committees would work towards a diligent distribution of the foodstuffs provided by the state government.
Ogechukwu Nicholas (Ward 3), Chief Ones Ndukwu (Ward 6), Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (Ward 8) and Nwogu Godfrey (Ward 9) said they would live up to their responsibilities by implementing the directive of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State COVID-19 Palliative Committee, after a short break, yesterday, resumed the distribution of relief items to Omuma and Okrika local government areas of the state.
The items which included bags of rice, garri, cartons of pasta, tubers of yam and cans of oil, were presented to the two LGAs.
Speaking at the presentation, the Chairman of the Palliative Committee, Amb Desmond Akawor, said the items were provided by the state government, under the leadership of Chief Nyesom Wike and other well-meaning organisations and individuals as palliative measure to cushion the harsh effect of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Akawor added that as implied by the name, the items were only palliative and not meant to totally eradicate hunger, but support for the vulnerable and down-trodden in the society.
He urged the community representatives to eschew partisan politics, religious sentiments and favouritism in the sharing of the items, adding that the government’s desire to touch the lives of the vulnerable: unemployed, widows, orphans, physically challenged, the elderly and down-trodden, must be felt.
Akawor pointed out that the items were not meant to benefit everybody, especially those who could afford to buy them.
On hand to receive the items in the two local government areas, were the ward councillors, the CDC chairmen, the women leaders, chiefs and clergymen from the communities, one from each of the wards of the local government areas.
Also present were the local government chairmen and House of Assembly members representing the local government areas.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the items such as 100 bags of 50kg rice, 100 bags of garri, 100 cartons of pasta/indomie, 1,000 tubers of yam and five (25 litres) cans of oil to each of the wards in the local government areas.
The councillors, chairmen and Honourable members were full of encomiums for the governor, for alleviating the plight of the people.
The Paramount Ruler of Omuma, King Onyekachi Amaonwu thanked the governor for his kind gesture, and prayed for God’s blessings for him.
It would be recalled that the committee commenced the distribution of palliatives on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 during which they visited the Cheshire Home, Charity Homes, Home for the Elderly and the Disabled.
Food items were also distributed to some local government areas, such as Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni and Port Harcourt City.
Akawor said it was a continuous exercise and that every ward in the 23 local government areas, as well as all groups that are vulnerable in the state would be given palliatives.