By Obiabin Onukwugha
The twenty local government areas in Rivers State are expected to share 730 bags of Rice each. This is coming as the state government, Thursday, confirmed the receipt of N2Billion and 16,800 bags of rice as part of the federal government palliatives set out to mitigate the plight of citizens arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Governor Siminalayi Fubara also inaugurated a committee in charge of the distribution of the Palliatives headed by Chairman of People’s Demcratic Party (PDP) in the state, Amb. Desmond Akawo, with the 23 LGA Chairmen as members.
Inaugurating the Committee at Government House, Port Harcourt, Thursday, Fubara explained that the rice was shared among states through the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).
He said: “The country is at a cross-road because of the removal of subsidy which has brought much hardship in the lives and businesses of virtually everyone.
“For that reason, states, the federal government and other well meaning individuals are providing succour under the circumstance. In that order, the NGF in their bid to alleviate the situation, decided to distribute to each state, about 16,800 bags of rice.
“We are also in receipt of N2Billion, which is part of the relief measure. It is not just about sharing money, but applying it to something that will touch the lives of those that are in dire need, those going through much pressure at this particular moment. We will come up with a decision very soon, and we will give your (Committee) directive on what to do when the time comes.”
He explained that the rice would not be shared among party lines, pointing out that he decided to make the PDP chairman head of the committee due to his track record and charged them to employ due diligence is carrying out their duties
“The rice is not about party, it is about the state. We thought it wise and proper to bring in all the Local Government (LG) chairmen, since you represent your respective areas. You are not the LG chairman of the PDP, but the LG Chairman of your entire LGA.
“I won’t tell you what to do, but I think it should be a communal formula. My major charge to you is to ensure that in the course of discharging this duty, don’t tag it party. Though it may not solve the entire problem, but it will touch those who really need this support.”
“It is not because he is PDP Chairman, but because he is quite knowledgeable in handling these kinds of assignments and he does them very well. I have also taken the time to bring members of the EXCO in on this team.
“This is a call to service. Take it as a very serious assignment, as whatever you are doing will definitely rub off on us as a government”, he stated.
In his response, Akawor acknowledged the difficulties people were going through and promised to carry out the function with utmost sense of duty.
“We know we are going through excruciating pains at this point in time in the history of this country. For us to have been given this assignment, we consider it very solemn.
“For our state , we have already been doing this through various channels to alleviate the sufferings of our people .We give you one assurance; we will not disappoint you”, he stated.
