- To provide 2.1 million vulnerable persons free food, cash
From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State government says it has purchased assorted grains worth N10 billion and being resold to residents at the cost of N20,000 per bag during the Muslim month of Ramadan.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda disclosed this at the inauguration of committees at both state and local government levels to oversee the distribution process.
The initiative will see the prices of maize, millet and guinea corn selling at N20,000 per bag, a significant reduction from current market rates. However, to ensure equitable access, the government capped the purchase of grains at 10 measures per buyer,
The free feeding initiative, according to Radda, is expected to benefit estimated 72,200 persons daily throughout the Ramadan.
In addition to subsidising food at a cost of N20,000 each for about 400,000 households, the Governor said that 33,000 elderly and vulnerable families would be selected from across the state to food items free of charge along with some cash.