The Rivers State government has received a total of 21,650 bags of grains from the federal government as part of the presidential food palliative initiative to cushion the effects of hunger and the economic hardship faced by many families across Nigeria.
Speaking after receiving the bags of grains in Port Harcourt on Thursday, which consist of 3,680 bags of garri and 17,970 bags of corn, Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for donating the food items to the state, saying it would go a long way in addressing poverty and hunger, especially in the rural areas.
Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, revealed that local organising committees (LOCs) headed by the caretaker committee chairmen of the 23 local government areas in the state, have already been set up and will distribute the food items to the most vulnerable people in every nook and cranny of the state.
He said: “This is a very welcome development. Everyone can see that there is a need for all levels of government at the Federal, State and Local Governments to intervene in the fight against hunger.
“In Rivers State, we have put in place several machineries to ensure we tackle the challenge of hunger. First, by tackling insecurity, encouraging agriculture at all levels and also providing direct palliative interventions. I can recall we distributed food palliatives in December, April and today the Federal Government headed by Mr President, through NEMA intervention is here to support what the state has been doing.”
The governor emphasised the support of the state government to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, noting that he will continue to do so to ensure there is peace and security, food and other necessary amenities in the country.
He said: “Please extend our goodwill to Mr President, Rivers State is indeed happy and we key in and support the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are also doing everything possible to support the federal government fight against the scourge of hunger affecting all parts of the country.
“We will continue to support Mr President’s fight against insecurity in the country because one of the major causes of the food challenge is insecurity, particularly in the rural areas. Rivers State Government is doing everything possible to ensure we have absolute peace so that our farmers and fishermen can freely go out and produce food for the populace.
“We assure Mr President and the people of Rivers State that in conjunction with NEMA, we have put in place quick machinery to ensure the food gets to the smallest and farthest part of the state and also make certain every section of the state will benefit from what you have provided today.
“Committees have been set up at the LGA levels, headed by the CTC Chairmen. They are to work directly with the Director of NEMA in the State, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, a director from the SSG’s Office and NEMA officials to ensure effective distribution of the grains to the rural people.”
Carrying out a need assessment, the governor further encouraged NEMA to also consider bringing food items that can be easily consumed by indigenes of the South-South such as garri, rice or beans in its next intervention.
He said: “We are hoping that during the next intervention, you will take into consideration the actual needs of the people in the south-south region,” he stressed.
The South-South Zonal Director of NEMA, Mr. Walson Brandan, said the food items were from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security approved by Mr President for vulnerable Nigerians.
Brandan said: “It is worthy of note that based on the allocation table, Rivers State has been allocated 17,970 bags of 50kg maize and 3,680 bags of garri. The above food items will be shared equally to all the LGAs in the state. On behalf of the federal government of Nigeria, handover to Rivers State the above food commodities for onward distribution.”
