The Bauchi State Government, on Monday, distributed rice to 10,764 beneficiaries in the Bauchi Local Government Area of the state.
The state government had expended N2 billion on the procurement of rice for distribution to vulnerable households as a post-subsidy removal palliative initiated by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mrs Hajara Wanka, said this at the inauguration of the exercise on Monday in Bauchi.
She said the gesture was meant to alleviate the hardship being experienced by the people following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Commissioner said the Palliative Distribution Committee headed by the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu had so far conducted the exercise in eight local government areas of the state.
“Gov. Bala Mohammed directed that the food items should be distributed first to enable the beneficiaries in the 20 LGAs to have something to eat.
“Conditional cash transfer would soon be made as beneficiaries have already been identified across the state.
“As soon as we finish all administrative processes, the amount will be transferred to each of the beneficiaries.
“Each beneficiary is to go home with one bag of 25 kilogramme of rice. It is for one person and not to be shared with anyone.
“You are not representing anybody else; you are here for yourself. Take your bag of rice and go home with it,” she said.
The Caretaker Chairperson, Bauchi Local Government Council, Mrs Zainab Baba-Takko, cautioned against the diversion of the commodity and urged the beneficiaries to use it to fend for their family needs.
Also speaking, the District Head of Bauchi, Alhaji Nura Jumba, lauded the gesture, adding it would assuage the sufferings of the people. (NAN)
Subsidy removal: Bauchi govt distributes rice to 10,764 persons