The federal government on Friday began the distribution of bags of assorted grains to vulnerable persons in Abia.

Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), performed the official handover of the items on behalf of the federal government to the state government in Umuahia.

Mr Ahmed, who was represented by Evans Ugo, Assistant Director, Department of Disaster Risk Reduction, NEMA, said that the gesture was  government’s effort to alleviate hunger.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had three months ago directed the release of 12,000 metric tonnes of grains for equitable distribution among the 36 states and Abuja.

The bags of grains for the distribution included maize, millet, sorghum and garri.

“These grains are meant for vulnerable persons and I urge you to equitably distribute it to the targeted audience,” he said.

In a brief remark, Ifeanyi Nnaji, Head of NEMA, Owerri Operations Office, lauded president Buhari for the idea to assist Nigerians that are downtrodden.

“This gesture will in a way alleviate their suffering and make them rejoice, most especially this period of Christmas and New Year,” Mr Nnaji said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the state government, Sunday Jackson, Executive Secretary of Abia State Emergency Management Agency, expressed gratitude to the federal government for the gesture.

He commended the Buhari-led government for its commitment to social investment programmes, saying that the gesture would help in improving the welfare and well-being of vulnerable persons.

“We would ensure that these items get to the targeted beneficiaries, because we would involve various vulnerable groups in all the communities,” he said.

(NAN)