The Ondo state government has inaugurated palliative committees in the 18 local government areas of the state for effective distribution of food items procured to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

The state government also announced Sept. 12 as the date for commencement of the distribution of the food items to beneficiaries.

Ondo state acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while inaugurating the local government palliative committees in Akure on Tuesday, urged the members to be equitable and transparent in distributing the palliatives at the grassroots level.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the inauguration of the palliative committees at the local government areas was aimed at involving stakeholders at the third-tier level in the distribution of food items to the people at the grassroots.

“Government is aware of the pain caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“Let me assure you that distribution of the palliatives at the local government level will be thorough and transparent,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa urged members of the committee to hold meetings and plan the scheduled date to ensure effective distribution of the food items to the concerned people.

The chairman of the Ondo state palliative committee, Wale Akinterinwa, said so far, 9,600 bags of rice had been received from the federal government with some addition from the state government that would be distributed to the vulnerable.

Mr Akinterinwa said the distribution would be done in phases to accommodate others who would not have benefitted after the scheduled date.

He also said that the food items were meant for all ethnic groups resident in the state and the poorest of the poor.

Also, the chairman palliative media sub-committee, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said distribution of the palliatives would begin on Sept. 12.

Ms Bamidele-Olateju, who is also the state Commissioner for Information, said that more advocacy would be done through the media to inform the public about the distribution of the palliatives at the local government level.

She said that arrangements had been made for shuttle buses to convey students to and from schools once they resume the 2023/2024 academic session from Sept. 18 to Dec. 31.

The commissioner said that the state government was committed to ensuring transparent distribution of the food items, urging stakeholders to cooperate to build peoples’ confidence in the process.

The local government palliative committee comprises members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly, representatives of security agencies, chairmen of the 18 council areas, and traditional leaders.

Others are; the Christian Association of Nigeria at the local level, the Muslim community, two notable community leaders, civil society organisations and a local government official to serve as secretary.

(NAN)