VAM News Update

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has cautioned against politicizing the distribution of the 3000 bags of rice received from the federal government to cushion the untold hardship being experienced following the removal of fuel subsidy.

The governor also directed the committee saddled with the distribution of the rice, to give priority to widows, people with disabilities and pensioners who are considered the most vulnerable people.

Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the commissioner for Information Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun who led other members of the committee, said that the rice would be shared with every segment in the 177 wards as directed by the governor.

Speaking on the modality for sharing of the palliative largesse, the commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade said that each of the 177 wards would receive 10 bags of rice each.

He said: “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 stressed the need for members of the State executive council to always maintain a high level of discipline and the principle of collective responsibility in the discharge of their duties in order to redefine governance and achieve the desired development for the state.

He stated this on Tuesday during the inaugural expanded Exco meeting held at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti, shortly after the new members of the council took the oath of office.

He urged them to always be guided by the oath they have taken in the discharge of their official responsibilities.

The governor, who noted that the executive council, the highest decision-making body in the state, had the power to make or mar the future of the state, called on all council members to exercise restraints on the attitude that could run down the government.