Officials of the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), on Friday, presented to Kaduna State Government its share of approved 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve, under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMoA&FS) for the people in the state.
Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Abubakar Umar, while handing over the commodities to Governor Uba Sani, said the process was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise of reducing the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced in the country.
She said, “Today we are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the identified deserving beneficiaries in the communities through the constituted committees in each local council.
Umar pointed out that membership of the Committee in each council is made up of the council chairman, State Emergency Management Agency, a traditional ruler, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Faith-Based Organisations (JNI & CAN), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Nigerian Red Cross Society, women associations, persons with disability groups, youth associations, principals of boarding schools, civil society organisations and the media.
The food items, according to her, would be shared equally with all council in the state, adding that based on the
The president’s directives, 20 per cent of the food items due for each council should be given to religious organisations (JNI & CAN) and three per cent to be given to boarding schools in the councils.
She listed the commodities to include 506 MT of maize, (10,120 bags of SOkg) 588 MT of sorghum (11,776 bags of 50kg) and18.5 MT of millet (4,370 bags of 50kg)
“I seize this singular honour and pleasure to, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, hand over to the Kaduna State Government the above-stated food commodities for onward distribution to the deserving vulnerable Nigerians in the State. “
Besides, while receiving the food commodities Gov. Sani said the directive by President Tinubu, for the release of grains underscored his adminstration’s firm commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.
He observed that he is conscious of the challenges facing Nigerians and is taking all measures necessary to lessen their pains.
The sacrifices Nigerians are making today, according to the governor, “ would be rewarded with a better future as President Tinubu’s economic reforms are gradually bearing fruits.”
“I wish to deeply appreciate the following key stakeholders who collaborated to receive the grains allocated to Kaduna State: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC.)”
“Our administration is committed to bringing succor to the poor vulnerable and underserved in Kaduna State. Our Committee on Distribution of Palliatives has been doing a commendable job distributing Kaduna State Government palliatives and those of the Federal Government.”
“ I assure you that the broad-based Committee will ensure that these grains are distributed to vulnerable Nigerians fairly and equitably.”
“ Security agencies will also ensure that distribution trucks are not hijacked by hoodlums or diverted by officials saddled with responsibility for distribution. Nobody, I repeat, nobody will be spared if a report of any untoward incident comes to my attention.” He assured
