Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for sending 21,650 bags of grains to the state.
The governor said the food items would go a long way in addressing poverty and hunger, especially in the rural areas.
Fubara spoke while receiving the bags of grains sent by the federal government in Port Harcourt.
The 3, 680 bags of garri and 17,970 bags of corn were part of the Presidential Food Palliative initiative to cushion the effects of hunger and the economic hardship faced by many families across Nigeria.
The governor spoke through the Secretary to the state government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, during the Rivers state government and NEMA joined Flag-off of the Federal Government Grain Distribution in Port Harcourt.
Fubara said the Local Organising Committees (LOCs) headed by the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of every local government had already been set up and would distribute the food items to the most vulnerable people in every nook and cranny of the state.
He said: “This is a very welcome development. Everyone can see that there is a need for all levels of government at the federal, state and local governments to intervene in the fight against hunger.
“In Rivers State, we have put in place several machineries to ensure we tackle the challenge of hunger. First, by tackling insecurity, encouraging agriculture at all levels and also providing direct palliative interventions.
“I can recall we distributed food palliatives in December, April and today the Federal Government headed by Mr President, through NEMA intervention is here to support what the state has been doing”.
The governor emphasized the support of the state government to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, noting that he would continue to do so to ensure there was peace and security, food and other necessary amenities in the country.
He said: “Please extend our goodwill to Mr President, Rivers State is indeed happy and we key in and support the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are also doing everything possible to support the federal government’s fight against the scourge of hunger affecting all parts of the country.
“We will continue to support Mr President’s fight against insecurity in the country because one of the major causes of the food challenge is insecurity, particularly in the rural areas. Rivers State Government is doing everything possible to ensure we have absolute peace so that our farmers and fishermen can freely go out and produce food for the populace.
“We assure Mr President and the people of Rivers State that in conjunction with NEMA, we have put in place quick machinery to ensure the food gets to the smallest and farthest part of the state and also make certain every section of the state will benefit from what you have provided today.
“Committees have been set up at the LGA levels, headed by the CTC Chairmen. They are to work directly with the Director of NEMA in the state, the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Special Duties, a director from the SSGs Office and NEMA officials to ensure effective distribution of the grains to the rural people.”
The south-south zonal director of NEMA, Walson Brandan, said the food items were from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security approved by Mr President for vulnerable Nigerians.
He said: “It is worthy of note that based on the allocation table, Rivers State has been allocated 17,970 bags of 50kg maize and 3,680 bags of garri. The above food items will be shared equally with all the LGAs in the State. On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, hand over to Rivers State the above food commodities for onward distribution”, he said.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt LGA, Ezebunwo Ichemati, expressed appreciation for the food items as he assured that all the Caretaker Chairmen would judiciously share the items.
He said: “This is a landmark achievement for Mr. President, for thinking it wise to reach out to the people at the grassroots. A lot of people are happy and asking me to tell Mr President through our Governor thank you for reaching out to them.
“I assure you that because of the kind of Governor we have, who does not interfere with things like these but ensures that it gets to the people, we will make sure the essence this was delivered, will be achieved”.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Agiriye Harry, noted that the palliatives would be properly handed to all LGAs.
He said: “Everything that is over zero is a plus. We accept it and appeal that next time, they consider our needs. This is the fourth food palliative distribution by Rivers State Government,” he noted.
