By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Amidst high hopes from vulnerable members of public, Bauchi State Government has commenced the much awaited distribution of food and non-food items as palliative to beneficiaries across the state.
In a well attended flag off ceremony performed by Governor Bala Mohammed at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi on Saturday 16th September, 2023, over 500 vulnerable target groups went home with a 25kg of rice and 10 Naira each.
It was observed by our correspondent that major components of the palliative include about eighty nine thousand bags of rice to be distributed across the twenty local governments areas, payment of ten thousand naira each to the most vulnerable citizens, provision of mass transportation buses and payment of students scholarship.
Other areas the palliative program intends to achieve include payment of outstanding gratuities and leave grant to retired and active civil servants, as well as payment of special allowances to volunteer health workers, casual workers and environmental sanitation agents.
Shortly before the flag off, the State Governor Bala Mohammed said the move was to alleviate the economic hardship being experienced by citizens following the recent removal of Fuel subsidy by federal government.
Governor Bala Mohammed said adequate arrangements have been made to reach the targeted beneficiaries in both urban and rural areas.
While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for responding to the feelings of people, the Governor stressed that the gesture would complement his administration’s economic empowerment initiatives which according to him lifted a number of families out of poverty.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajara Yakubu Wanka assured of transparency and equity in the distribution process.
Wanka, who is serving as secretary in the high powered committee for the distribution exercise further said that the committee, under leadership of the Emir of Bauchi and the State Deputy Governor had designed a foolproof distribution template that would guarantee equitable distribution of the palliative to the poorest of the poor and other intended target groups across the State.
The Commissioner said that, in addition to the arrangement made by the committee for seamless distribution exercise, her ministry will also deploy it’s human resource in the distribution exercise across the State for the successful implementation of the distribution program.
There were goodwill messages from the Emir of Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu and the Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau further assuring citizens of the state of the resolve of the committee in carrying out the assignment with due diligence, equity and fairness.
Some people with disabilities who who spoke to our correspondent and were part of the beneficiaries described the arrangement of distribution committee as comprehensive, noting that it would go along way in alleviating their suffering.
They however appealed to the state government to sustain inclusion of people living with disabilities in it’s economic employment programmes.
Highlights of the flag off ceremony was the symbolic presentation of the palliative that includes 25kg and rice and 10Naira cheques to the first set of beneficiaries by the Governor, Emir, Deputy Governor and other dignitaries present at the event.