By Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse
The Jigawa state governor, Malam Umar Namadi has lunched the distribution of N1.080 billion cash and foodstuffs worth over N2 billion as palliatives to 108 orphans, Persons With Disability (PWDs) and elderly people in the state.
Speaking while flagging-up the distribution at Gumel in the state the governor said, the palliatives were part of temporary measures to reduce the economic hardship as a result of federal government policy on Fuel subsidy.
He explained that, the palliatives are being given as the begining of series of intervention his government planed to provide, while a permanent and sustainable solution will continue to be put in place, for poverty eradication, job creation, growth and development.
Governor Namadi explained that, a comprehensive and well articulated mechanism for the distribution of the palliatives has been put in place, including committees that comprise political leaders, Religious leaders, civil societies, securities and community organizations.
“Under the framework “N40 million will be given to each of the 27 local government for distribution to 1000 youth, 1,000 Women, 1,000 elderly persons and 1,000 PWDs are 108,000 persons are expected to receive N10,000 each”.
The governor maintained that the items including: 47,410 bags of Rice, 33,339 cartons of Spaghetti, 8,303 bag of Maize and N1,080,000,000 cash will be distributed to the people across the state
“For the food items, it will be shared to each of 287 political wards, which will also be distributed to polling units according to the number of registered voter there”.
“Poling Units with 10 to 100 registered people will receive 5 bags, 1,10 to 150-6 bags, 200-400 ten bags and 500 to above will get 15 bags” Governor Namadi stated.
The Governor had also presented the check of N1,080,000,000.00 to the state Commissioner Special Duties Hon Auwal Danladi Sankara for onward distribution to the targeted beneficiaries of the Cash palliatives.
On his part the Executive Secretary JIgawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Dr Haruna Abdullahi Mairiga said, all the food items are kept in stores at Ringim, Hadejia, Dutse, Kazaure and Gumel, as local government chairmen are directed to go to their respective emirate councils along with committee members to collect their own.