Voice Air Media, News Update
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week as public holidays to allow for the effective distribution of palliatives to residents across all the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.
Speaking at a press conference at Government House, Minna, the governor announced that the state had supplemented the N5 billion palliative fund from the federal government with an additional N250 million.
Below are the highlights of the modalities adopted for distribution:
N2 billion cash received so far from the Federal government.
All the Wards in Suleja, Chanchaga, Bida and Kontagora Local Governments are to have N20 million per ward.
All the Wards in the remaining 21 Local Government Areas of the State will get 10 million Naira each.
Traditional Institutions to get N80 million.
Internally Displaced Persons to get N75 million.
Logistics and Organized Labour, to gulp N110 million
Political parties to get N150 million.
All the money is to hit the Local Government council Account by Monday next week.
The cash will be injected into the local markets in the state.
Five trucks of Rice will be distributed to each Ward of the 25 Local Government Areas.
40,000 bags of Maize is still anticipated from the Federal government and the state government will add 10,000 bags to make it 50,000 bags for distribution to all the polling units across the state.
Palliatives not free
The governor said the state and local governments will repay 58 per cent of the N5 billion in 20 months, while the federal government covers the remaining 42 per cent. Local committees, including former and current public office holders, will oversee the distribution process.
Local Government and Ward Committees are to decide what food items to buy depending on the needs of their people.
Standing Committees comprising Former and serving public office holders are to ensure effective and efficient distribution of the palliatives in their respective Constituencies.
Also to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Umaru Bago disclosed some steps taken by the state government to ease movement of goods and services .
200 CNG Luxurious Buses will be made available to provide free public transportation to all students and pupils in public schools.
Civil Servants will also benefit at a discounted rate.
100 of the Buses are to ply the Suleja to Abuja axis.
50 Buses to ply Minna and 50 to other Local Government Areas.
On Agriculture
Directives have been given to the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture to provide 10,000 hectares of arable land in every Local Government.
By December 2023, 250,000 arable lands should be cleared to boost national policy on food security.
Farm Machinery to be provided
500,000 youths are to be employed in the pilot scheme in Agricultural activities.
400,000 women are to be employed as pickers of Shea nuts.
On Education;
Payment of bursary to students is to be revived.
Governor Umaru Bago used the medium to appeal to Nigerlites to be patient as his administration remains committed to serving them better.
He however warned that anyone who is found wanting in the distribution of the palliatives will be jailed to serve as a deterrent to others.
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