Ekiti Gets 3000 Bags of Rice Palliatives from FG as Gov Oyebanji Warns Against Politicising the Sharing of Rice

Ilesanmi AdekanbiAugust 16, 2023

2 minutes read

Ekiti Receives 3000 Bags of Rice Palliatives from FG

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has warned against politicising the distribution of the 3000 bags of rice donated by the federal government to alleviate the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

The governor also instructed the committee in charge of the distribution to give priority to widows, people with disabilities, and pensioners who are the most vulnerable groups in society.

The commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who led other members of the committee, briefed the press in Ado Ekiti on the modalities for sharing the rice. He said that the governor directed that the rice should be shared across all segments in the 177 wards of the state.

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The commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade, said that each ward would receive 10 bags of rice, with more emphasis on women and widows. He also gave a breakdown of how the rice was allocated to other categories of beneficiaries, such as artisans, transporters, market women, civil servants, and the elderly.

“The committee met under the instruction of Mr Governor that we should distribute the palliatives within a week. That is why we are here to tell you the modalities for distribution which start on Wednesday.

“The committee met and agreed on the lists of beneficiaries. 10 bags of rice each for 177 wards in the state. Parts of the criteria are that we must prioritise widows and women within the wards. What we are saying is that the rice going to the wards should be shared more with women and widows.

“We also specially allocated 100 bags for widows. All the artisans in the private sector had 200 bags of rice, while the transport union got 180 bags. All the market women in Ekiti State were allocated 100 bags. The special group got 150 bags, while the people with disabilities got 140.

“The elderly, the pensioners, got 100 bags. The civil servants comprising the junior staff got 100 bags. We have asked all the LGS and LCDA to come to Ado to collect on behalf of the works. They must ensure that the rice reaches the vulnerable who are the real beneficiary of the rice.”

Oyebanji also emphasized the need for members of the State executive council to maintain a high level of discipline and collective responsibility in carrying out their duties in order to achieve the desired development for the state. He spoke on Tuesday during the inaugural expanded Exco meeting held at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti, where the new members of the council took their oath of office.

He urged them to abide by the oath they have taken and to avoid any attitude that could tarnish the image of the government. He said that the executive council was the highest decision-making body in the state and had the power to make or mar its future.