By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on Tuesday in Lokoja warned that the distribution of palliative must not be politicised or hoarded by those saddled with the responsibility of distributing the palliative.
Alhaji Ododo who gave the warning on Tuesday during the flag off of first quarter 2024 food palliative distribution at Muhammad Buhari’s Square, Lokoja said it will be evenly distributed in Kogi.
He warned that people must not hoard the rice nor sell the relief materials provided by Government to cushion the economic hardship in the state.
He pointed out that the palliative is meant for the poor people in the society, warning political appointees against hoarding palliative.
While noting that the palliative are meant for the indigent people of Kogi State, the Governor said his administration remains committed to serve the people in transparency and the fear of God.
Governor Usman Ododo further disclosed that the palliative should not be distributed among political party, ethnic or religious affiliation, adding that, the target beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor in Kogi State.
“My administration is will not allow any unpatriotic element to cheat on the people. The Government has put mechanism in place to fact-check the activities of those given the opportunity and apprehend those who plan to hoard the distribution of this food item.”
Governor Ododo commended the President, Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinibu
for facilitating the release of the rice and quick intervention to reduce hardship in the citizenry.
“I want to beg all of us to allow the poor breath. I am part of them. I was being raised from them. I am committed to serve them, not as a leader but their servant. Political appointees will not benefit from this palliatives. They should also contribute to the society that made them.”
In his good will message, the speaker of Kogi state House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Umar enjoined government to look beyond the sharing of food items to the people, but target what can bring a permanent solution to hunger in Nigeria.
He expressed sadness over the soaring food item prices in Lokoja and called on market people to always have fear God in their gains.
