The Bayelsa State government on Friday gave 4,200 bags of 50 kg rice to indigent persons across the 105 wards in the eight local governments ahead of the festive season.

Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, said the gesture was a Christmas gift for the vulnerable people.

The distribution exercise took place at DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.

“The distribution pattern is through the chairmen and stakeholders in the local government areas.

“The communities will be given through the councillors. We expected that all political appointees have been directed not to take part in this.

“It’s purely for the indigent people; it is a Christmas gift from our government, led by our prosperity governor, Senator Douye Diri and the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who wish everyone Merry Christmas,” she said.

The chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, Target Segibo, said the governor was used to showing concern for people’s welfare every Christmas, and the people knew that the governor would do it.

“The instruction is very clear: no stakeholders should benefit, that does not mean that the government is not going to reach out to them.

“The instruction is to send it down to the wards, and that is what we are going to do. That is why we are here personally to monitor things,” Mr Segibo said.

He assured that the rice was in safe hands and would get down to the people at the ward level and from there to the communities.

(NAN)