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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State government has engaged the services of local transporters to deliver food to the elderly, weak persons, women and People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) in their homes.
Chairman Borno State Food Palliative Distribution Committee and Senator representing Borno Central in the Senate, Sen Kaka Shehu Lawan, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with journalists at the scene of the food distribution exercise in Maiduguri.
Lawan said the state government partnered with tricycle transporters to convey elderly persons, women, weak persons and PLWD from the point of collection of food to their various homes in Maiduguri metropolis and its environs. He said similar gestures would continue in other local government areas.
“We realised some people are weak while some are elderly, and women too. We are providing transportation for them, especially tricycles, three women or person per tricycles while the open van takes five beneficiaries,” he disclosed.
He said the state government has contacted the transporters and paid them to take beneficiaries to their homes in dignified manner
He explained the distribution exercise started on Tuesday with some challenges, including huge presence of non beneficiaries, unauthorised persons and suspected thieves.
He said 30 suspects have been arrested by the police for various offences including snatching or theft of food items from beneficiaries. He said suspects might face trial if cases are established against them after the completion of investigation by the police.
Sen Lawan also explained that 115, 000 beneficial households are in four local government areas; Maiduguri Metropolis, Jere and Mafa around the state capital out of the total 300,000 households estimated for this year’s palliative.
He said the state government is distributing foods as palliative to make life better for its people
“During Christmas period, similar exercise was conducted. The distribution is to enhance unity, reduce poverty and boost peaceful coexistence among the people,” he added.
The state governor, Babagana Zulum while flagging off the food distributors on Tuesday said each household will get a bag of rice, a bag of millet and 10 kilogrammes of sugar.
He also directed that the support be extended to Christians who are also observing the Lent season.
He said the food aid is meant to support the less privileged, artisan workers, orphans, women, elderly and people living with various forms of disabilities.
