By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed flagged-off 2024 Ramadan palliation distribution with a stern warning to committee members saddled with the exercise that government will hold any of them accountable for any lapse or infraction in the distribution of the food items.
“I want to emphasize that the state government will hold the committee accountable for lapses or infractions in the distribution of the food items. We are fully committed to ensuring that the process is conducted with utmost transparency and integrity”, he said.
Senator Bala Mohammed said that the state government is also establishing monitoring and evaluation committee to oversee the guidelines and ensure that the more deserving individuals receive the palliatives.
“The distribution of the palliation must be carried out with utmost fairness and equity, and we will not tolerate any form of misuse or NB abuse of this trust bestow upon of the State and Local Government palliation distribution committees”, he further warned.
The Governor described the palliation provision as the crucial step towards mitigating the challenges posed by food scarcity and inflation ravaging the state and the country at large.
He noted that the current economic condition has made life difficult for many citizens, and it is only through prayers and collective efforts that the challenges can be overcomed.
Governor Bala revealed that under the current phase of the Ramadan palliation exercise, 40, 000 bags of maize, 40, 000 bags of millet, 20, 000 bags of rice, 10, 000 bags of sugar, will be distributed across the 323 electoral wards of the state.
He explained that while the food items may not be sufficient enough to meet the needs of every citizen, hence the government plan for the 3rd phase of palliation, as it is working deligently to replenish foodstuff for further interventions and emergencies in the near future.
Senator Bala tasked the distribution committees, especially those at the Local Government level to ensure transparent distribution at the wards and polling units, saying the government has developed comprehensive templates for the exercise to ensure the process is transparent, inclusive and community-driven.
He commended the Tinubu-administration for it’s swift response to the hardships confronting the country, saying the collaboration between the federal and state governments is the testiment of their collective commitment to provide succour and solace to the citizens during the current challenging time.
Mohammed disclosed that the Bauchi state government has allocated more than two billion naira towards the purchase of the food items, as it also received substantive contribution from the National Emagency Management Agency (NEMA), North East Development Commission, and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, among others.
According to him, the considerable effort is aimed at ensuring that the citizens have access to essential food items during this trying period, saying the constituted distribution committee is under the chairmanship of Chief of Staff, Dr. Aminu Hassan with the ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management as the coordinating body.
He gave the composition of the state committee as representatives of security agencies in the state, line ministries, office of the head of service, political parties, religious and traditional rulers, media representatives and civil society organizations, among others
About The Author
