Bauchi State Government, on Thursday, flagged off distribution of 110,000 bags of food items across the Twenty LGAs of the state as palliation during the month of Ramadan Fasting.
The exercise which is a collaboration between the State and Federal Government is targeting beneficiaries across all the 323 political wards in the state.
While flagging off the exercise at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi, State Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the move was aimed at ensuring citizens have access to relief materials to alleviate their suffering.
Bala Mohammed also said that over N2 billion was expended in procuring the items noting that a high-powered committee has been constituted to ensure judicious distribution of the palliative.
While expressing commitment to the welfare of citizens of the state, Bala Mohammed solicited more support and prayers towards overcoming the current economic hardship.
The Governor stressed that the distribution should be devoid of any political affiliation but should go round the state to assist in mitigating the current hardship.
In her address, the state Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Yakubu Wanka said that the palliative would also be distributed to civil servants, security personnel, civil society organizations, orphans, and Vulnerable groups.
The Commissioner added that the Ministry in collaboration with the Committee Members would ensure that the food palliatives reached all the nooks and crannies of the State for sustainable growth and development.
In his remarks, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu applauded the initiative saying that it would go a long way to alleviating the present hardship faced by the people especially lack of foodstuffs caused by the hike in prices.
Also, Jarman Bauchi, Alh Garba Mohammed Noma, PDP Chairman, Hamza Koshe Akuyam, Deputy Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Jamilu Dahiru, State Head of Civil Service, Alh Yahuza Adamu Haruna among others, Appreciated Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for the intervention.
Speaking differently, they said that it would go a long way in mitigating the current challenges facing the people, and they prayed Allah to reward him abundantly.
Chairman, 2024 Ramadan Palliatives Distributions Committee, Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa said that the Committee had mapped out plans to ensure that there is even distribution of the items to the targeted audience.
He requested the stakeholders to ensure that whatever was given to them for distribution got to the main beneficiaries.
The food items procured included 40,000 bags of Maize, 40000f bags of millet, 20,000 bags of Rice, and 10,000 bags of Sugar.