IN a bid to promote transparency and accountability, The Abia State has provided details on the distribution of Federal Government palliatives received in four tranches.
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev Fr Christian Anokwuru, the palliatives were shared among persons with disabilities, destitute homes, correctional centers, widows, and civil servants across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Abia reportedly received a total of 16,800 bags of 50kg rice and 13,260 bags of 50kg maize in the initial delivery.
The government converted some maize to rice through sales and added an additional 4,800 bags of 50kg rice, making a total distribution of 30,800 bags of 50kg rice in the first batch.
A second batch consisted of 24,000 bags of 25kg rice. Of this, 19,524 bags were allocated to civil servants from Salary Grade Levels 01 to 08, while the remaining 4,476 bags were distributed to various vulnerable groups through the State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with the office of the Governor’s wife.
Anokwuru noted that 156 bags of maize and 38 bags of garri were given to faith-based organisations, while boarding schools received 23 bags of maize and 6 bags of garri.
The fourth batch, delivered in June 2024, comprised 8,900 bags of Urea and NPK fertilizers. The government has planned a distribution schedule for these fertilizers across 15 local government areas, excluding Aba North and Aba South LGAs, as well as certain wards in Obingwa and Osisioma LGAs due to their urban nature and minimal farming activities.
The distribution of fertilizers is set to begin on September 24, 2024, with different local government areas scheduled for specific dates through September 28.
This approach, according to him, recognizes the importance of agriculture in the state’s economy and aims to support farmers in both rural and semi-rural areas.
