Economic Hardship: Kogi Govt. Flags-Off Distribution Of Palliatives

By Abubakar Suleman
 
The Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo , on Tuesday flagged-off the distribution of palliatives to vulnerable households across the 21 local government areas of the state to
cushion the prevailing difficulty faced by kogi people..

The government said it was aware of the hardship faced by citizens, disclosed that the food palliatives will get to the targeted beneficiaries.

Flagging off the distribution on Tuesday in Lokoja, Alhaji Ododo said the palliative being provided was in fulfillment of his promise to the people of the state while campaigning to be Governor of the state.

He said, it is also in his determination to build on the legacies of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello that he was coming to better the lives of the people through the several palliatives method which he restated would be a regular exercise under his leadership.

At the flag-off of the distribution of the palliatives on Tuesday at Muhammadu Buhari square Lokoja, headquarters of kogi state, saying the government will not tolerate the hoarding of foodstuffs by any overzealous politicians or traders in the state.

In his words, ” I will be part of the monitoring team to ensure it reached the people for whom it was meant for, so as to make life easier for less privileged.

The Governor However, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary atmosphere for the provision of palliative, noting that his assurances that President Tinubu meant well for the country and that he ensured Nigerians got out of the economic trial the country was facing.

Gov Ododo said the palliatives is meant for all residents of the state regardless of their political affiliations.

According to him, “Today, we are kicking off the distribution of palliatives to kogi State residents.

He further said religious groups, market women, trader associations among others would benefit from the palliatives.

“We have selected the most vulnerable households but based on our experience while we are drawing the list, we have seen that we will go very far. We have a Muslim community, Christian Association, Market women, traders association, tailoring association, and youths among others

Also, the speaker of kogi State House of Assembly and member from Lokoja two state constituency, Rt. Hon. Yussuf Umar Aliyu expressed gratitude for the palliatives.

He said, “As a representative of the people, I am glad that this is happening in my local government. I would like to thank the state and Federal Government for providing these palliatives.

“I also thank Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo for prompt delivery of the palliatives. We will carry along traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim groups, artisans, and most of the segments that make up our communities in the state.

As representatives of the people, the speaker noted that they would not remain silent and that they would ensure what is due to the citizens is made available to them to make life better for the citizens.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Musa Aliyu said the kogi state government has given us plenty of rice in our local government which has touched almost everyone and we thank the governor because he promised us earlier, and he did fulfil his promise,” he said.

“With this, we know that a new beginning is coming in our state. We appreciate the Federal Government and the State Government,” he said.

In his address, the Attah Igala and Chairman Kogi State Council of Chiefs, HRM Matthew Alaji Opaluwa enjoined the people of the state to continue to pray for government at all levels, stressing that it is only through their support that those in charge of people’s affairs could provide ways out of the ongoing difficulty.

Speaking, the State APC Party Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello noted that the occasion has demonstrated that the Governor is a promise keeper, hence his decision to build on the achievements of the immediate past administration.

He said the occasion has shown that APC has come to stay in Kogi State because the previous government has shown that there is no option but to continue to attract development to the people.