The Gombe State government on Saturday commenced the distribution of palliatives to support the less privileged and vulnerable persons during Ramadan.

The speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Luggerewo, also the Ramadan Palliative Distribution Committee chairman, inaugurated the distribution on behalf of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Mr Luggerewo said the essential food items were to provide much-needed relief, ease economic hardship, and enable greater spiritual devotion during Ramadan.

He said the exercise reaffirmed the Yahaya-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of the state’s people.

The speaker stated that the state government was committed to inclusive governance, ensuring every citizen, regardless of status, benefitted from government interventions.

He commended Mr Yahaya for distributing the food items, particularly to the less privileged members of society during the Ramadan fasting.

“This distribution of palliatives reflects the governor’s generosity and deep concern for his people, especially during this sacred month of Ramadan,” he said.

According to him, the governor has directed that all available food items in the state’s stores be distributed immediately.

He assured that a well-structured framework had been put in place to ensure the food items reached the intended beneficiaries.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the secretary general of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Sale Danburam, expressed appreciation to the state government for the distribution to help cushion hardship.

Similarly, speaking on behalf of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the state deputy chairman of the Association of Persons with Disabilities, Bala Zannah, commended the inclusion of PWDs in the distribution exercise.

The food items included 30,355 bags of rice, 6,880 bags of maize and 3,360 bags of millet.

Others include 2,880 bags of sugar, 3,380 cartons of spaghetti, and 2,688 gallons of vegetable oil.

(NAN)