The Akwa Ibom government has confirmed receipt of N2 billion and 3,000 bags of rice palliatives promised by the federal government.

Governor Umo Eno announced this in Uyo on Tuesday when he received the palliatives committee report set up by the state government.

The palliatives were part of the federal government’s assistance to citizens through various state governments to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Mr Eno said that as part of the palliatives, the state government would ensure that a project was executed per local government areas to create employment, reinvigorate the economy, and increase cash flow within the rural communities.

He said the projects would be awarded to indigenous contractors from the respective local government areas, who would recruit the locals to work, enhance their productivity, and boost their purchasing power.

He, therefore, tasked the local government chairs to liaise with the State Executive Council to identify peculiar areas of need to be favoured by the initiative.

The governor also urged the council areas to donate land for the planned agricultural revolution by the state government.

Mr Eno tasked the committee to ensure that the palliatives were given to the poorest of the poor across party lines and residents of the state, especially those residing in rural communities.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government and chairman of the committee, Enobong Uwah, thanked the governor for setting up the committee.

Mr Uwah said the committee’s recommendations would ensure even distribution of the palliatives to all residents, especially the poor and needy in the state.

(NAN)