Has your state government begun the distribution of food for citizens in need during this ‘subsidy-is-gone’ era in Nigeria?

Development Diaries reports that President Bola Tinubu recently approved five billion naira per state and the country’s capital to provide food for poor citizens as millions of Nigerians face hardship.

The cost of goods and services has tripled, transportation fares have gone up, whereas the income of many Nigerians remains flat following the removal of fuel subsidy.

It is understood that the state governors are to procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilisers.

According to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the federal government has released five trucks of rice each to the 36 state governors in addition to the five billion naira.

While several state governors have set up committees to decide how to share the limited food items, others have yet to determine how to begin.

Meanwhile, Ekiti, Borno, Yobe, Kwara, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, and Gombe have acknowledged receipt of the palliatives and have begun distribution to needy households.

Others, such as Bauchi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Imo and Bayelsa, have yet to begin the distribution.

It is important to stress the need for transparency and accountability on the part of the states to prevent a repeat of the mass looting of Covid-19 palliative warehouses across Nigeria.

This is why you, citizens, must actively participate in the distribution of the palliatives to ensure we do not hear ‘stories that touch’ – I am sure you know what I mean.

To ensure effective distribution n of parliatives across the country, Development Diaries also calls on the federal and state governments to partner with relevant and credible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to identify and reach the intended targets.

So, back to the aforementioned question: Has your state government begun the distribution of food for citizens? Let us hear from you.

Photo source: Lagos State Government