In continuation of the third phase of the distribution of food items as palliative, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has distributed ten thousand, four hundred 7.5kg bags of rice, as well as fifty-two million naira as cash gift to beneficiaries across Keana, Obi Local Government Areas and Jenkwe, Giza and Deddere development areas.
Governor Sule distributed the palliative and cash gifts to the beneficiaries cutting across the designated venues on Monday.
The Governor reiterated that the gesture, which cuts across political divide, is meant to alleviate the plight of the people currently experiencing hardship and economic challenges.
He said his administration decided to repackage the 50kg bags of rice into 7.5 kg, with each beneficiary receiving four bags each, alongside five thousand naira cash gift, in order to not only make it easy for the elderly to handle but to also make it easier for the beneficiaries to extend similar gesture to other members of their communities who may not have benefitted for this particular event.
Governor Sule appealed to people to remain patient as both the Federal Government under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his administration are working hard to address the challenges currently being experienced across the country.
In Obi, headquarters of Obi Local Government Area, where 500 vulnerable persons benefitted, the Governor said while President Tinubu goes about finding solutions to the plight of the people across the country, his administration has embarked on multifaceted approach to tackle the hardships including approving N250m for the procurement of quality and affordable drugs, another N500m for the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NSSIA) in order to be able to capture more people under the state’s health insurance scheme.
He added that his administration has also paid one hundred percent gratuity for retirees starting from 1996 to 2010, in a bid to enable the retirees take care of their families.
Governor Sule further disclosed plans to commission CNG vehicles purchased with a view to subsidizing the cost of transportation across the state.
In Giza where 400 persons benefitted, Governor Sule disclosed that his administration will make adequate arrangements for the internally displaced persons in the area to be able to return to their homes.
He again, assured the people that President Tinubu will unfold policies and programmes aimed at cushioning their plight.
“I also want to use the opportunity to brief you on so many other interventions that we are having. We are doing it because of you so that you can benefit from it. In the state, because of the hardships, there are lots of fake drugs in the pharmacies. What we have done is to ensure that we give one of our medical agencies N250m to go and buy genuine drugs so that they will be able to sell it to the people at subsidized prices if you go to our hospitals. We also know that we needed a lot of interventions in healthcare, and that is why we are approving N500m to the NSSIA in order to support the people towards providing good healthcare,” he stated.
In Keana Local Government Area, with ten electoral wards, 600 vulnerable persons benefitted, with each taking home an additional five thousand naira as cash gift, while 100 persons benefitted in Deddere development area.
Earlier, State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon Magret Elayo, while welcoming the Governor at the various venues of the palliative distribution, appreciated Governor Sule for his selfless efforts to rescue the people from their plight.
Hon. Elayo particularly commended Governor Sule who despite his tight schedule took it upon himself to personally supervise the distribution even with the harsh weather conditions.
Also speaking, Chairman of Obi Local Government Area, Hon Joshua Ozhe-Yekpowudu, commended Governor Sule for embarking on the third phase of palliative distribution across the state.
In a remarks, Overseer of Deddere development area, Dauda Danladi Agbo, described Governor Sule as an honest man, a friend of the poor and an individual whose simplicity is beyond human comprehension.
On his part, the Osoku of Obi, HRH Dangiwa Ogiri Orume, said as the true custodians of the culture of the people who reside in the rural area amongst to common people, they are aware of the challenges currently being faces by the people.
The royal father made a case for a downward review of the cost of fuel, which according to him, would cascade down every sector of the economy.