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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A few days to the celebration of Christmas, Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has flagged off the distribution of federal government palliatives in the state.
Speaking at the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), headquarters in Makurdi on Tuesday, Governor Alia, who noted that the palliatives were in phases, said the first phase of palliatives was the distribution of fertilizer to the entire state farmers saying already the state is experiencing a bumper harvest.
“The second was the commissioning of 100 buses donated the Benue Links Transport Company which are now reaching out to the 23 LGA and the 36 states of the federation. We remain grateful to the federal government.
“This is the third phase which is the distribution of grains mainly rice and maize.”
The Governor explained that palliatives are meant to cushion, momentarily, the effects of the subsidy and get strength before we can enter the farms for production.
“We will not stride back on the payment of salaries and pensions as workers are paid their salaries monthly from the 24th day of the month” saying this December, salaries were paid from December 15 while the pensioners were paid with one month arrears of their pension.”
He also said part of the palliatives funds would be used to pay NECO and WAEC fees of students of Benue state as his administration wants to ensure that every household is educated.
“We also have 10,000 youths already registered for ICT training so that on graduation, they can stay in the state or any part of the world to work and be self reliant.”
Alia who stated that he and his team came into Government to work, said “we are working, we are not doing publicity stunt. We started roads and some have already been completed. The next few weeks all machineries for road construction will be moved to the local governments.”
Alia who cautioned residents to be careful during the Christmas, said “for those who are driving, once you are behind the steering, just assumed that every other person on the road is crazy except you. So drive carefully because better days are ahead in 2024.”
The grains include 21 trucks of corn and 35 trucks of rice. Alia said they would be shared down to the 227 wards in the state, to all civil servants, primary and secondary school teachers in the state traditional rulers, trade unions, People With Disabilities, (PWDs), among others just as there is no restrictions on political affiliation.
While wishing the people a great Christmas, Governor Alia appreciated the Benue people for their support to his administration saying “We remain grateful to the federal government, we must continue to pray for them and wish them well. Nigeria is wired for greatness and the people must join hands to activate the greatness in the state and Nigeria in general.”
Earlier, Chairman, Palliative distribution committee and Commissioner for Power and Transport, Mr Mathew Omale, thanked President Bola Tinubu for the directive for the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of removal of subsidy.
Omale who stated that the palliatives began with the distribution of subsidized fertilizer to Benue farmers, on behalf of the Benue people, expressed gratitude to Governor Alia and President Tinubu for the initiative.
He noted that the assorted grains, including rice, would aid the people celebrate a good Christmas
According to him, categories of beneficiaries include but not limited to the less privileged, widows, okada riders, Keke NAPEP operators, orphanage homes, correctional facilities, pensioners among others.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, said: “We are proud of you and the president for taking great steps to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.”
Iorpuu assured the Governor that SEMA would not to disappoint the Benue people but would ensure that his initiatives and measures at catering for the IDPs and other persons of concerns are implemented effectively.
