By Our Reporters
With the cost of living on a steady rise, no thanks to the subsidy removal by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the hope of survival of the common man hangs in the balance. But a glimmer of hope appeared recently with the promise of government’s intervention to cushion the lingering effect of economic hardship.
But weeks after the announcement by the Federal Government of the provision of N5 billion to each state of the federation for the procurement of relief items to poor citizens to cushion the effects of the economic hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal, it has been an endless wait from state to state. Up till now, only few states have distributed any palliative items. And items distributed have been mere drops in the ocean. Some others have promised to start sharing the items. But in most of the states, the people have seen no palliatives, with no one sure of if and when anything would get to them.
BENUE
In Benue, the state government has not commenced distribution of relief material to residents. Scholastica Onyeka in Makurdi reports that the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, while flagging off the distribution of relief material to victims of 2022 flooding in Makurdi on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, hinted of his plans for the disbursement of the N5 billion given by the Federal Government.
He acknowledged receiving N2 billion so far, and said the funds will be used to achieve a number of projects. Governor Alia said from the fund, state government will pay for WAEC and NECO examinations for graduating students in all government approved secondary schools in the state for the 2023/2024 academic year, provide intensive computer and ICT training for 2000 youth, provide grants to 5000 women, purchase 100 new buses for the state owned transport company, Benue Links, pay one month pension arrears to state and local government retirees, and provide food items like rice in large quantities to the 23 local government areas in the state. However, as at August 30, 2023, the people of the state were still in anticipation of the commencement of distribution of the palliative items, with tension and anxiety mounting. When contacted, the Executive Director, State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, said his office had yet to receive the palliatives.
KEBBI
In Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris has promised to distribute the Federal Government palliative items to the citizens free of charge as soon as they arrive, reports Olanrewaju Lawal.
It was gathered that the committee that would be in charge of the distribution had been set up. The committee comprises the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), commissioners from each local government, chairmen of local government areas and traditional rulers. The governor said even though the Federal Government directed that the items should be sold to the people at subsidised rates, it would be given out free of charge to people of the state.
KADUNA
The government of Kaduna State has announced that one million and fifty thousand poor and vulnerable citizens, representing 210,000 households, would benefit from the palliative items in the state.
Noah Ebije, in Kaduna, quoted Governor Uba Sani as acknowledging receipt of the first tranche of N2 billionof the N5 billion promised the state by the Federal Government. He however said that, in the medium term and long term, the state plans to roll out free transportation and revival of the abandoned locomotive train system in the state, to run from Zaria to Kaduna and to Kafanchan. “We have agreed and decided collectively to buy 43,000 bags of 50kg rice. The N65 million balance will be used to support the logistics of people with disabilities, widows and the IDPs. “We will look at the issue of transportation. We will also look at the area of providing fertilizers for our small holder farmers. We are also going to consider micro and small businesses and support them with grants. “In the long term, we will look at our locomotive train that was abandoned and revive it. The train will move from Zaria to Kaduna to Kafanchan. We will also consider buying some buses to run free transport for the first six months and run at subsidized rate later,” Governor Sani said.
RIVERS
From Port Harcourt, Tony John reports that people living in Rivers State said they have not been told by the government about any palliatives from the Federal Government.
But on Thursday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara confirmed Rivers State Government’s receipt of N2 billion and 16,800 bags of rice as part of the palliatives to help the poorest of the poor deal with the biting effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
The governor, who disclosed this while inaugurating the state’s Palliatives Sharing Committee explained that the N2 billion came from the federal government and the rice was put together and shared among states by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF). On modalities for fair sharing of the rice, Fubara charged: “The rice is not about party; it is about the state. We thought it wise and proper to bring in all the Local Government (LG) chairmen, since you represent your respective areas. You are not the LG chairman of the PDP, but the LG Chairman of your entire LGA.
“I won’t tell you what to do, but I think it should be a communal formula. My major charge to you is to ensure that in the course of discharging this duty, don’t tag it party. Though it may not solve the entire problem, but it will touch those who really need this support.”
EBONYI
From Abakaliki, Chijioke Agwu reports that Ebonyi State government has acknowledged receiving N2 billion and 3000 bags of rice from the Federal Government. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Okpor, said Governor Francis Nwifuru announced the arrival of the palliative on Wednesday, August 23,2023. The governor subsequently set up a committee on palliative distribution, with himself as chairman. But the distribution had not commenced as of Wednesday August 30.
CROSS RIVER
In Cross River, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) claimed it was distributing 140 bags of rice per ward, but citizens are raising eyebrows, writes Judex Okoro.
Investigations by Saturday Sun revealed that the palliative items are being distributed through SEMA to All Progressives Congress (APC) ward chairmen, local government chapter chairmen and other state leaders for sharing to their supporters. It was gathered that last week three bags of 100kg were distributed to each of the 196 wards by the SEMA team who travelled round the state wards. A cross section of the populace have accused the government of playing politics with the palliative items by distributing it only to APC card-carrying members, political support groups and some stalwarts leaving out political opponents and others who don’t belong to any political groupings. Some of them who spoke with our reporter complained that they are only hearing of the palliatives distribution on radio and reading it on social media, wondering whether they are also not entitled to it as Nigerians.
PLATEAU
Also in Plateau State, Jude Dangwam reports that no palliative item has been distributed. The State Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Musa Ashoms said the state government has set up a committee to kick-start the distribution of the palliative allocated to the State. Ashoms told Saturday Sun that the committee constituted is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Ngo Josephine Piyo and will soon roll out modalities for the distribution of the palliative to targeted persons.
DELTA
In Delta State, the first batch of bags of rice has been received by the state government but no sharing has began yet, reports Paul Osuyi in Asaba. Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Sir. Festus Ahon told Saturday Sun in Asaba that government was still expecting more batches of rice from the Federal Government. Ahon said until the state took delivery of the total expected number of bags of rice, sharing might not commence. He confirmed the inauguration of a palliative committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kingsley Emu, to manage the process on behalf of government. On the N5 billion from the Federal Government, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Akporokiamo Ekedayen said the state was yet to receive the money. Meanwhile, the state has commenced the implementation of N10,000 extra monthly salary to 50,196 public servants, as some civil servants confirmed the receipt of the additional money in their August salary.
OSUN
Lateef Dada, reporting from Osogbo, writes that Osun State Government has commenced the distribution of 6,300 bags of subsidy palliative rice to the 30 local governments and the area office. The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, had explained that the state received 3,000 50kg bags of rice remaining 600 bags to complete the first batch, while the state awaits 14,516 bags of rice and 3,200MT of maize for the second batch. The state government had unveiled a committee comprising civil society members, market women, labour unions, religious groups, ALGON, and pensioners to supervise the distribution. A subsidy palliative distribution template obtained by our correspondent revealed that the rice had been allocated in line with several wards in the local governments.
According to the template, Iwo, Odo-Otin Osogbo with 15 wards will get 284 bags each; Ifelodun and Oriade with 12 wards each will get 227 bags; Ife East with 7 wards will get 84 bags; and the area office, Modakeke will get 56 bags for three wards. Also, local governments like Atakumosa West, Ayedaade, Boripe, Ede North, Ejigbo, Ife Central, Ife South, Ila, Ilesa East, Irepodun, Irewole, Isokan and Olorunda with 11 wards will get 208 bags of rice. The local government with 10 wards likeAyedire, Atakumosa East, Boluwaduro, Ede South, Egbedore, Ifedayo, Ilesa West, Ife North, Obokun, Orolu, and Ola-Oluwa will get 189 bags each. The state government also confirmed the receipt of N2billion from the federal government nut nothing has been said about it.
IMO
In Imo State, the State government has flagged off the distribution of the palliative items on August, 30 at the premises of the Imo State College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS), Egbu Road, Owerri, with the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma in charge. All the autonomous communities in the state, represented by their wards, were in attendance. Also Federal agencies, boards, MDAs were also present, reports Stanley Uzoaro. It was gathered that 100,000 bags of rice was approved for distribution by the governor for the people of the state and to make sure the palliatives get to the desired people, some agents were engaged by the state government for even distribution. The governor also approved the distribution of grains such as rice and gari to be sold at very affordable prices to the residents of the state and strictly monitored by commodity officers in 27 local government area of the state.
OYO
Oluseye Ojo reporting from Ibadan writes that the state government has assured that one million ‘poorest of the poor’ residents of Oyo State spread across 200,000 households have been estimated to benefit from the first phase of the distribution of food palliatives in the state as part of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative The state government also announced that a total of N8,633,996,464 ($22,693,732) was earmarked for the palliative. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the distribution would be done in different batches, with the aim of bringing relief to the people of the state. The distribution was flagged off on Wednesday in Oyo town by Governor Seyi Makinde. Simultaneously, the exercise was flagged off by the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal, in Saki for Oke-Ogun II. Other state officials also flagged off the distribution in other areas. The items being distributed include 10kg rice, 5kg garri, 5kg beans, 5kg elubo, and 1 litre of vegetable oil. The distribution targeted the poorest of the poor in the society and be done simultaneously in all major zones, including Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Oke-Ogun I, and Oke-Ogun II, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, Ibadan City and Ibadan Less City. The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Musibaudeen Babatunde, also provided a breakdown of the total budget. Food palliatives will cost a total of N5,273,743,000 ($13,900,791), with Local Government Areas contributing N2,636,871,500 ($6,947,996) as a counterpart fund.
NIGER
John Adams, in Minna writes that almost a month now since President Ahmed Bola Tinubu announced N5billion to each of the 36 states of the federation as palliative, Niger state citizens are yet to get their share of the palliative either in cash or material even as the economic hardship bites harder in the state. Only last week, State Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago announced that the state government will spend only N3billion out of it N5billion on palliative to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
The governor was silent on how the balance of the N2billion will be utilised, he nevertheless gave the breakdown on the sharing formula for the N3billion, stressing that each ward in the four major cities in the state – Chanchaga, Bida, Suleja and Kontagora local government areas will get N20m. He disclosed that the remaining wards across the remaining 21 local government areas are to get N10m each worth of palliative.
ANAMBRA
Obinna Odogwu in Awka reports that the distribution of the palliative items has not started in Anambra. The state government said that the materials meant to be distributed to the deserving recipients were still being procured. Commissioner for Information in the state, Sir Paul Nwosu, told Saturday Sun that as soon as the materials were ready, they would be distributed to the people who are supposed to get the materials. “There is no point stampeding these things and at the end of the day you discover that some people were left out. And you know that Governor Soludo is a man that is very thorough and meticulous. “When you stampede, you make mistakes and people are left out. But we want to be thorough so that everybody gets what they are supposed to get, so that it will be all inclusive.”
EKITI
Priscilla Ediare, in Ado-Ekiti, reports that Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security and Chairman, Palliative Distribution Committee, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, said the state received 3,000 bags of rice from the federal government and during offloading, 18 of the bags of rice had defects remaining on 2,982 . On the modalities for distribution, he said: “There will be 10 bags of rice each for 177 wards in the state. Parts of the criteria is that the rice going to the wards should be shared more to women and the widows. “We also specially allocated 100 bags for widows. All the artisans in the private sector had 200 bags of rice, while the transport unions got 180 bags. “All the market women in Ekiti State were allocated 100 bags. The special group got 150 bags, while the Persons with Disability (PWD) got 140. The elderly, that is, the pensioners got 100 bags. The civil servants comprising the junior staff got 100 bags.” The government began the sharing of the bags of rice in the state on Wednesday, August 16. The first tranche went to all the local governments in the state and at each of the local governments, a committee was set up for the distribution to the beneficiaries, while the second tranche went to different associations including, transport unions, okada riders association, artisans etc in the state.
ABIA
Abia State Government said it has started palliative distribution from the Federal Government’s N5b financial grant-cum-loan to the state, writes Okey Sampson in Umuahia
Equally being distributed is the 30,000 bags of rice that also came from the Federal Government as palliative for the hike in fuel price. This was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Kazie Uko. Although the CPS did not give details of the distribution process, investigation revealed that government set up a committee to oversee the palliative distribution, first in the 17 Local Government Areas and further down the 184 political Wards of the state. Apart from the actual palliative distribution, it was gathered that the committee which was mandated to ensure only the poorest got the goodies, would also interface with the people to know their actual needs.
AKWA IBOM
From Uyo, Joe Effiong reports that Akwa Ibom State government has yet to commence the distribution of the federal government assisted palliatives to the residents of the state. The governor, Pastor Umo Eno had earlier set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah to work out modalities of sharing and other issues relating to the palliatives. The committee only submitted its report on Tuesday On receiving the report, the governor said, he was working on expanding the purview of the palliatives by ensuring that all the local government areas in the state have life-touching projects executed by contractors from such council areas. “I think that is one of the creative palliatives that the government can provide by creating jobs and putting money in the pockets of the people”, he stated “What we have received so far from the federal government is two billion naira and 3000 50kg bags of rice. We believe that the other ones will come. If the federal government is donating five billion, the committee has recommended another five billion, so what we have here is ten billion as the estimates for the palliatives”, he added. The governor emphasized that the palliatives should be given to the poorest of the poor across party lines and to residents of the state especially those residing in the rural communities .
EDO
Edo State has yet to commence distribution of palliatives provided by the Federal Government to alleviate the effect of fuel subsidy removal on vulnerable groups in the state. It was learnt that the items and cash have been received by the state government but the process for kick-starting the modus for the distribution was being worked out, reports Tony Osauzo. “We are in the process of working out the budget and the method of distributing the items, including updating the social register”, a top government official told Saturday Sun in Benin. The official did not however disclose the number of bags of grains or amount of cash the state received from the Federal Government.
ENUGU
In Enugu state preparations are still on for the distribution of palliatives, even as materials for distribution are still being assembled and expected too, writes Geoffrey Anyanwu
The State Governor, Peter Mbah had before the federal government’s announcement of N5 billion palliative for each state, inaugurated a Palliative Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai. The committee has met for about three or four times and has according to reliable source, set up subcommittees comprising of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Presidents General (PGs) of town unions, church leaders and council chairmen and councillors for easy and accountable distribution of the palliatives. It was gathered that the state government do not want to be involved in the distribution so that it would not have political coloration, hence the involvement of the aforementioned groups. The committee which reliably has discussed the modalities for distribution, it was also gathered agreed to have the CSOs have a representative in each of the 360 wards of the state.
KANO
Desmond Mgboh reports from Kano that the state government has purchased assorted grains worth about N1.6 billion for distribution to residents of the state as palliatives to cushion the harsh economic effect of subsidy removal. The grains included millets, maize and rice. Chief press Secretary to the Governor, Sanusi Bature confirmed the development while speaking to Saturday Sun. He added that they have received a donation of additional five trucks of rice from the Federal Government, adding that all these items would be distributed to the residents of the state. He said the distribution would be implemented using the community re-orientation committee structures at the local levels with a view to reaching the poorest members of the society. He however stated that no date has been fixed for the distribution of the grains.
BAYELSA
Femi Folaranmi, reporting from Yenagoa, reports that the invasion of a private warehouse by residents of Yenagoa along Isaac Boro Expressway Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital has pushed the Bayelsa State government into a dilemma over the distribution of palliatives meant to cushion effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The private warehouse owned by Senator Friday Konbowei Benson was used to store palliatives and relief materials received by the state government during the 2022 flooding. However the cleaning of the warehouse in preparation for the storing of the expected palliatives with some bags of remnants placed at a corner was misinterpreted by some residents as the arrival of palliatives prompting them to invade the warehouse. As a result of the invasion, the state government had opened the warehouse at Bayelsa Palm to distribute the remaining palliatives from the 2022 flood to each of the eight local government areas. Director- General of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr Samuel Walaman Igrubia who confirmed that the state had received the first batch of the fuel subsidy palliative said the worry now is where to keep the palliatives before distribution.At the Bayelsa Palm warehouse where the 2022 flood palliatives were being distributed on Tuesday a resident, Mr Pere Smith, faulted the process. According to him, if the same process is adopted for the sharing of the fuel subsidy palliatives, it could trigger chaos in the state.
BORNO
In Borno, distribution of foods and monies to affected citizens has been a long time tradition of support which will continue even with the Federal Government palliative programme, Gov Babagana Zulum said recently, reports Timothy Olanrewaju.
The governor has started distributions of food items from the Federal Government N5 billion palliative. “We are here to flag off the distribution of palliative to 100,000 less privileged people in Borno State in addition to the 300,000 house heads which the Borno State government started,” Zulum announced on August 22 at the flag off of the Federal Government palliative distributions at a camp for displaced Boko Haram victims. Prior to the release of the Federal Government palliative, Borno State government said it targeted 300,000 households for food and money supports. He put the estimated beneficiaries at 400, 000, Zulum said.
ADAMAWA
In Adamawa State, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity to Gov. Fintiri, George Kushi has explained the process of palliative distribution in the state, reports Billy Graham Abel. He said the governor has added N10, 000 to the salaries of civil servants and pensioners from this month, procured and distributed fertilisers to farmers, and set up a committee to implement the distribution exercise. The government also has other plans to make life comfortable for the people, said the governor’s aide.
TARABA
In Taraba, Sylvanus Viashima reports that the state government has taken the food items donated by the federal government to the people especially at the grassroots where the challenges are faced the most. Alhaji Saleh Sa’ad, Chairman of the Palliatives committee set up by the state governor, Dr Kefas Agbu, said: “Allocation was done to every local government and the committee ensured onward distribution to the various wards and polling units where the committees there took it the people. “We have strong monitoring teams to ensure that everything got to the right people and so far, the results have been very impressive. There have been no complaints. Distribution was done without any political, ethnic or religious sentiments. These food stuff are meant for the people and we have ensured that the people got them,” Sa’ad said.
KATSINA
From Katsina, Agaju Madugba reports that the state government has since commenced distribution of procured palliative products as part of measures to cushion effects of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government. According to the Commissioner for Information, Malam Bala Salisu Zango, the state government procured a total of 40,000 bags of rice currently being distributed to beneficiaries from across the 34 Local Government Areas. He explained that money for the rice was from the N2 billion disbursed from the Central Bank as directed by the Federal Government. The amount is the first tranche of a total N5 billion for each state for the palliative initiative. According to the Commissioner, “the Governor also directed local government councils to procure and distribute maize to citizens free of charge.” The Director-General (Media and Publicity) at the Government House, Maiwada Danmallam, who also spoke on the palliative distribution process noted that political party or religious affiliations, among other trivial considerations, do not influence potential beneficiaries of the initiative.
LAGOS
Lukman Olabiyi, reporting from Lagos, writes that as of Thursday, no official information exists on what Lagos State Government got from the Federal Government and how it was shared to the masses. But some local government chairmen have been seen in videos distributing some items in their areas. Before now, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed a 50 per cent fare reduction across the State-owned public transportation services. He also disclosed that plans had been concluded with various stakeholders to distribute food items to vulnerable people in the state. The intervention, he said, will be done through effective distribution channels of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, Local Government authorities, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Councils (CDCs), churches, mosques and traditional organisations.
OGUN
In Ogun State, distribution of the palliatives from the FG was yet to commence as at the time of writing this report, reports Laide Raheem in Abeokuta Meanwhile, a 29-member Central Working Committee (CWC), headed by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, was on August 29 empanelled by Governor Dapo Abiodun, to oversee the distribution of subsidy removal palliatives in the state. The Secretary to the Government of Ogun State, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi, had earlier confirmed that Ogun had received the first delivery of 3,000 bags of rice donations from the Federal Government in fulfilment of its plan to distribute grains to mitigate the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.