By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Taraba Concern Citizens (TCC), a Taraba based Non Governmental Organization (NGO), has called on the State Governor Agbu Kefas to investigate alleged diversion of federal government palliatives sent for the 16 local government and two Development Areas of the state.
Mr Timothy Gayus, Coordinator of the organization and secretary Hamisu Salejo who address journalists in Jalingo on Sunday, called on the governor to probe the local government council chairmen who were handed the palliatives for onward distribution.
The group insists that there have being widespread allegations of diversion of palliatives sent to Taraba State by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of economic hardship, including food stuffs such as Rice, Maize, Sorghum, Garri and Fertilisers.
The maintained that the commodities are allegedly found being sold in major markets in the state.
“We demand to know why the palliatives meant to be distributed free to the masses have dominated all the major markets in the state without getting to the locals.
“Our question is that who sold them to the marketers? The palliatives were given to the state to cushion the present hardship the people are passing through, and not to be sold.
“The people are hungry but the local government council chairmen choose to sell the palliatives. The people behind the diversion of the palliatives must be exposed and made to face the wrath of the law in order to serve as deterrence to others,” Gayus stated.
When contacted, Mr Saviour Nokun, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, said that it was local government areas that first got the allocations.
He added that if there are cases of diversion then it should be the council Chairmen.
“Due to widespread outcry of allege diversion of the commodities, I personally visited the Jalingo main market and found the commodities in some market stores. This is sad and I want to assure you that the government will do everything possible to unmask those behind the diversion.
Available records from the military of Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties indicates that Wukari, Sadauna, Jalingo and Gasol local government areas of the state were given 850 bags of Rice, Maize, Milet and Sugar, the rest of the local were allocated with 800 of the bags each.