The Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government have distributed 24'734 bags of rice to vulnerable, physically challenged as well as the needy in the state.
This came to fore at the flag off of ceremony of the distribution which took place in Government House, Sokoto.
Speaking at the occasion, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu said the gesture is part of measures introduced by the federal and the state governments with a view to cushioning the effect of the current hardship being faced by Nigerians, coupled with the global economic downturn.
According to him, the state government received 12,367 bags of rice from the Federal Government under its palliative programme.
He lauded the effort of President Bola Tinubu- led administration in introducing measures to ease the hardship Nigerians are going thorough these days.
"If you could recall, Mr President had sometimes back sent us 20 trucks of grains and 60 trucks of assorted fertilizer, which were all distributed to the masses across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
" This magnanimity goes to prove to the world that we have a President with a listening ear, a kind- hearted and above all, a people's President, "he added
Gov. Aliyu further said, as part of measures to complement the effort of the Federal Government, the Sokoto State Government has also produced 12,367 bags of rice for distribution to the needy across the state.
He added that since the inception of the present administration, a lot of assistance have been given out to the needy, which included 9,200 bags of rice to the poor and orphans' mothers in the 23 Local Government Areas and the provision of clothing to 18,400 male and female orphans.
Others were the distribution of 18,000 bags of rice and 900 bags of maize as well as financial assistance amounting to N 360 million given to 5000 Imams and Malaman zaure across the 23 local government areas of the state.
According to him, other items distributed as palliative by the state government were 69,630 bags of assorted fertilizer as well as seedlings, pesticides and other farm inputs, all free of charge.
" This gesture is aimed at encouraging our peasants to produce more food for the state and the nation as a whole, "Aliyu said.
Gov. Aliyu further said the present administration has ordered the supply of 300 trucks of rice at N 14 billion Naira, with each of the 244 wards receiving one truck to be sold at a discounted rate of 52 per cent.
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On the mass transit sector, Gov. Aliyu said his administration had purchased 120 buses and Taxi cabs which have since been put to use at a very affordable fares so as to assist masess travel with ease.
"We have also procured 1000 motorcycles and 500 tricycles all in an attempt to create more jobs and as well boost the transport sector of the state.
Also speaking, the Minister of of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the 12,267 000 bags of rice allocated to Sokoto are part of several measures being introduced by President Bola Tinubu's administration to cushion the effect of the hardship being faced in the country.
He said the Federal Government is making effort to make the country better through several economic reforms, and appealed to Nigerians to bear with the Federal Government as the hardship is temporary and will soon be over.
He commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for introducing various programmes aimed at making the lives of people of the state better.
In his words, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and other Matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, called on the benefitting communities to utilize the food assistance given to them to cater for the food needs of their families.
Highlight of the occasion was the donation of bags of rice to poor, needy as well as the physically challenged in the state.
The event was attended by Senator Aliyu Wamakko, representative of Sultan of Sokoto, Former Minister of police affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi among other personalities.
