Gov Supervises FG Palliatives Distribution In A’Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Government on Wednesday commenced the distribution of palliatives to the people as part of measures to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, who supervised the distribution of the palliatives at the Government warehouse at Ikot Ekpene, Udoh, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, commended the Federal Government for the donation of the palliatives.
Eno said his administration added N5 billion to the N2 billion and 100, 000 bags of rice earlier provided by the Federal Government as palliatives.
He, therefore, tasked the Local Government chairmen to ensure even distribution of the palliatives to ensure they got to those they were meant for.
“Please ensure that the palliatives get to the people in the villages. The State Government has added N5 billion to the N2 billion donated by the Federal Government”, Eno said.
He said as part of the cushioning the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, there would be reduction in price of daily tickets for market women, payment of bursary to students and provision of buses to convey workers to and from work.
The Governor tasked the committee to ensure that the palliatives were given to the poorest of the poor across party lines and to residents of the state, especially those residing in the rural communities.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the agency in charge to release the remaining tranche of money to the state as promised.
The Governor commended the people of the State for their understanding and patience with government since the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Palliatives Committee, Mr Enobong Uwah, said 40 bags of rice would be shared to 2, 272 gazetted villages in the state.
He said security would be provided throughout the distribution areas to ensure smooth distribution of the palliatives to all residents of the state.
He listed Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom and Etinan as the first batch of benefiting Local Government Areas, while others would receive theirs thereafter at the designated places in various local government areas.
He assured that the sharing of the palliatives would be peaceful to all the poorest of the poor indigenes and residents of the state, and commended the Palliatives Distribution Committee for a job well done.
Uwa thanked the Governor for timely release of the palliatives and the over N5 billion state government’s support to the programme, describing him as a passionate governor, who had prioritised the citizens welfare in his programme.
In his remarks, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the State, Mr Sunny James, warned against diversion of the palliatives, noting that it was meant for the poor in the society.
James commended the State Governor for the three months palliatives given to Akwa Ibom workers and solicited for more palliatives for the workers in the state.