How N2.8b Ramadan Feeding plan fails in Jigawa, as govt tenders apology

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The earlier plan by the Jigawa state government to commut N2.8 billion for Ramadan feeding programme may have been put at hold by government following its insistence on due process in the procurement of food items and other materials needed for the project.

Reports from the state indicated that the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi had on the 8th of March, few days to the commencement of the Ramadan fast for Muslims launched the feeding programme at the Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse the state capital.

Checks by our reporter in the state revealed that the feeding programme was billed to start on the first or second day of the commencement of Ramadan fast where over 200,000 vulnerables were expected to be fed on daily basis at over 570 designated centres across the state.

Despite the whooping amount and the said good arrangement made for the success of the exercise, two weeks into the Ramadan, the said programme is yet to takeoff while the vulnerables keep waiting expectantly with no respite in sight.

The state government through the commissioner for special duties, Mr Auwal Danladi Sankara, however tendered apology on behalf of the government to the people of the state and would be beneficiaries over what ge described as delay in the commencement of the exercise.

The letter which was obtained by our reporter in the state indicated that the state government has since apologized to the people of the state over the failure to commenced with the exercise as scheduled.

According to the statement, “This is to sincerely apologize for the slight delay in the kick-off of the Ramadan Iftar Feeding Program. The delay was due to necessary procurement processes and ensuring that all due processes were followed accordingly. “However, I am pleased to inform you that all is now set for the Feeding Program to commence on Friday, 12th of Ramadan, 1445AH, which is equivalent to 22nd March, 2024”.

The Iftar feeding programme is targeted at providing traditional Iftar meals, including Kunu, Kosai, and Jollof Rice, for the last 21 days of the fasting period to at least 300 people in each of the 609 Iftar feeding centers across the State.

According to the initiative the project will cover all 287 wards as well as ten Tertiary Educational Institutions in the State.

The implementation plan includes the appointment of main vendors/contractors for each of the 27 LGAs, as well as sub-vendors for the 609 Iftar Centers.

The statement added that “The vendors will be responsible for the preparation and distribution of meals, with strict monitoring and supervision by ward-level committees. Payments will be made directly to the main vendors, who will then disburse funds to the sub-vendors and supervisors across the state”.

Sankara maintained that “To ensure transparency and accountability, the contact numbers of main vendors/contractors for each local government have been provided for any inquiries or complaints regarding the programme.