..says 10 bags of rice for each ward
…as State Information Commissioner urges evaluation Committee to follow-up
By Udesinanna Stephen, Ngozi Akubulu
The Ekiti State Government has assured that the distribution of the economic relief package from the Federal Government, FG, to the vulnerable persons in the State would be executed with no political colouration.
The Commissioner for Agric and Food Security in Ekiti State, Ebenezer Boluwade, who doubles as the State Chairman of the Palliative Distribution Committee, said this today during the distribution of the First Tranch, Stage B Palliative Grain at the State Government House Pavilion.
Roundoffnews gathered that, the First tranch (stage A) of the palliative grains delivered to the State was 3,000 bags, of which 18 bags were defective due to offloading, and the distributed grains were a total of 2,982.
The Commissioner said, “The Government is for everybody, devoid of colouration; let members of the Committee be there for the sake of accountability. Let it get to the proposed people, let it not stop at the Local Government Level, let it go to the wards and from the wards to each household” 10 bags to go to each ward in Ekiti, and Ekiti has 177 wards.”
He also called for documentation of the distribution, saying that video evidence is necessary for accountability, adding that the distribution of the palliative is for Local Government and Local Council Development, LCD.
In an interactive session with Reporters, the Commissioner for Information, Honorable Taiwo Olatubosun, said, “Just like we told you last week that the issue of palliative here in Ekiti is a continuous exercise, and it would continue in this manner.
“We have a plan to make life better for the people, and the Governor is determined to ensure that we continue to promote that vision and man-track of shared prosperity. It is in that respect that we are here again today to share to the people palliative through the Local Government Representatives.” He said.
According to him, the Distribution Committee comprises members of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN,
Ekiti State, and the Muslim Society, adding that five committees from each ward will man the distribution.
Speaking on the follow-up and evaluation exercise, he said, “We have the monitoring and evaluation committee, which is separate from the Palliative Distribution Committee to ensure that the palliatives get to the beneficiaries.”
“The Chairman of the Local Government across the State are here with the lists, and we have their data, and they would assist the wards to convey this to the Local Government and Local Council Development, LCD when they get there, they would share to all the wards.
Speaking also is the Chairman Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON, Engr. Olabode Adetunji, who is also the Chairman, Efon Local Government Area, he said, “We want this to reach the poorest of the poor. It is not a party thing; as long as you reside in Ekiti and among the vulnerable, you will get it.”
He also advised members of the Distribution Committee to be non-partisan in executing their responsibility, stressing that there will be a follow-up to ensure that names submitted get the palliative.