The Osun and Ekiti state governments have reiterated their resolve to ensure that palliatives received from the federal government reach the intended beneficiaries.

Investigations reveal that the two states had taken delivery of truckloads of rice and maize as well as part of the N5 billion announced as palliatives to states by the Federal government.

While the Ondo State government was not forthcoming with information on the receipt of the federal government palliatives, the Osun and Ekiti state governments confirmed receiving the first tranche, which they have started distributing to beneficiaries.

In Osun, the government said it had received N2 billion out of the N5 billion for the state.

Kolapo Alimi, the state’s commissioner for information and public enlightenment, said this, adding that the template and modalities of payment will soon be made public by the palliative committee at their next meeting

The commissioner, however, said that the state government, through its palliative committee and the ministry of special duties and regional integration, would begin the distribution of the subsidised rice palliative on Tuesday.

He said that the mode of sharing had been finalised by the committee, adding that beneficiaries would begin to receive the rice palliatives according to the timetable prepared to capture everyone.

Mr Kolapo said that 5,700 bags of 50kg of rice will be distributed to the people.

“The total number of subsidised rice palliatives that will be distributed is 5,700.

“3,000 50-kg bags of rice from the first batch of palliatives and 2,700 50-kg bags of rice from the 14,000 second batch.

The commissioner said that the state was still expecting 11,300 bags of 50 kg rice and 3,000 metric tonnes of maize from the federal government.

Investigations also reveal that distribution of the federal government’s palliatives has begun in Ekiti.

This is coming just as the state government dispelled insinuations in some quarters, claiming that politics and other considerations might be applied in the execution of the exercise.

The state commissioner for agriculture and food security, Ebenezer Boluwade, who doubles as chairman of the palliative distribution committee, said that the distribution had begun last Wednesday.

He assured the people that the distribution of the economic relief package to vulnerable persons in the state had no political undertone, as being peddled, and would get to the targeted beneficiaries.

The commissioner said that the federal government delivered 3,000 bags of grains to the state, of which 18 bags were discovered to be spoilt, thereby leaving only 2,982 for distribution to the public, particularly the vulnerable and less privileged.

According to him, the state government had distributed an appreciable number of palliatives to residents in the 177 wards of the state.

Giving an insight into the criteria and mode of distribution, Mr Boluwade said, “Each of the 177 wards of the state got 10 bags of rice each.

“Part of the criteria was that we must prioritise widows and women in the wards. We also specially allocated 100 bags for widows.

“All the artisans in the private sector shared 200 bags of rice, while the transport unions got 180 bags.

“All the market women in Ekiti State were allocated 100 bags. Persons with disabilities got 150 bags.

“The elderly, that is, pensioners, got 100 bags. Civil servants, comprising the junior staff members, also got 100 bags.”

The chairman of the palliatives distribution committee assured residents that the palliatives would get to everyone in subsequent tranches.

“Let it go to the wards and from the wards to each household. Ten bags go to each ward in Ekiti, and Ekiti has 177 wards”, he said.

Also, the commissioner for information, Taiwo Olatubosun, said that the distribution was being done in batches, and would reach everyone, irrespective of political parties.

“The issue of palliative here in Ekiti is a continuous exercise, and it would continue in the manner the state had been doing, to ensure wider coverage.

“We have a plan to make life better for the people, and Gov. Biodun Oyebanji is determined to ensure that we continue to promote that vision and mantra of shared prosperity,” he said.

Mr Olatubosun disclosed that the members of the distribution committee included officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Muslim society, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees e.t.c.

“We have the monitoring and evaluation committee, which is separate from the palliative distribution committee, all aimed at ensuring that the palliatives get to the beneficiaries”, he said.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno announced the release of the palliative at the end of the 135th National Economic Council meeting, presided over by Vice-President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.

Mr Zulum disclosed that the N5 billion was to enable state governments to procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilizers, to cushion the effect of food shortage across the country.

He added that considering the urgency in meeting the need to mitigate the skyrocketing food prices across the country, the federal government had last week, released five trucks of rice to each state of the federation.

The governor said, “This funding has to be shared with a formula as follows: 52 per cent of this money is given to the states as grants, while 48 per cent of the N5 billion is to be paid back on an instalment basis within a period of 20 months to the CBN by the states and the local government areas in Nigeria.”

(NAN)