No fewer than 130 groups comprising clubs, associations have received 15,000 bags of 10kg rice courtesy the Federal Government.
Distributing the rice palliative on behalf of Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, the deputy Manassah Jatau, said it was in continuation of government’s effort to cushion hardship caused by removal of subsidy.
According to him, the distribution is without political and religious bias, adding that hunger knows no party but speaks general language of need.
He said, “The distribution of 10kg of rice to 2,988 polling units, cuts across the state in each of the polling units 25 people are supposed to get and to ensure transparency security agents were involved in the state and LGA levels. Party was not considered for example Billiri the commissioner is All Progressives Congress but the state House members are Peoples Democratic Party they were all involved because we know hunger has no party affiliation.
“Today, we are continuing the exercise by giving out palliative to clubs, associations because like we always say whether you are road transport worker we know hunger is hunger. We are today giving 130 association, we received over 300 associations but many could not be authenticated. We are giving about 250 bags depending on the number we believe or perceive belong to the associations.”
Speaking further the governor lauded the Federal Government for extending goodwill to residents, urging beneficiaries to ensure it trickles to the needy “Presently, we are considering religious, political associations, civil society organisations we are going to give 15,000 bags of 10kg rice. Our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t stop his hands from reaching Gombe, the governor didn’t stop his hand from reaching us, Manassah is giving out fairly and those receiving should know it’s in trust,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Solomon Ayanwale, Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria Gombe State chapter, lauded the Federal Government for the gesture.
He said, “We have nothing more to say than to say we are grateful for the gesture. This is a plus to the governor of this state and believe the Lord will continue to protect him. The peace we are enjoying in Gombe is because of his good governance. We assure you that we will send it to Local Government Areas to people we feel are in need of the palliative. We will continue to pray for the governor for us all to enjoy the peace.”
