The Benue State Government, on Thursday, commenced the distribution of its share of the Federal Government’s palliatives as part of efforts to reduce hunger in the land.
The state government will share the palliatives to the 276 wards across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The food items include 17,940 bags of maize and 4,132 bags of garri, which the Federal Government delivered to the state through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Speaking at the flagg-off of the distribution exercise in Makurdi on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorpuu, explained that the items are meant for the most vulnerable groups of people in the state.
He noted that the palliatives were meant to “serve as a lifeline for the beneficiaries”, among them widows orphans, physically challenged persons and the elderly.
Iorpuu said, “The palliatives we are distributing today came from the Federal Government through NEMA. These vital food items are intended to reach the most vulnerable among us: widows, orphanage homes, the elderly (65 years and above), government schools, especially boarding schools, religious bodies, and the physically challenged across all our 276 LG council wards.
“The total number of items to be distributed includes 17,940 bags of maize 50kg and 4,132 bags of garri 25kg. Each council ward will take 65 bags of maize, and 15 bags of garri.
“Our distribution plan is systematic and organized to ensure that every LG receives its fair share.
“We will commence with Zone ‘A’ today (Thursday), the 25th of July, 2024. Following this, Zone ‘B’ will receive its palliatives on Friday, the 26th of July, 2024, and finally, Zone ‘C’ on Saturday, the 27th of July 2024.
“Each local government must adhere to its designated day. Any local government that misses its turn will have to wait until the mop-up day on Sunday, the 28th of July 2024.”
The Benue SEMA boss urged all local government chairmen to maintain the highest level of transparency and integrity in the distribution process.
“These palliatives are a lifeline for our most vulnerable citizens, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are distributed fairly and efficiently.
“Let us work together with integrity and dedication to make this distribution a success, ensuring that the aids reach those who need it the most”, he said.
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