Gombe Targets 90,000 Poor, Vulnerable Citizens in Palliatives’ Intervention

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya,  has flagged-off another round of state-wide food palliative intervention, targeting 90,000 poor and vulnerable members of the society.

Speaking during the inauguration of the distribution exercise in Gombe local government, held at the Emir’s Palace yesterday,  Yahaya emphasised that the expansion and continuation of the Intervention was meant to complement earlier ones, aimed at alleviating the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the citizenry.

“Today marks the commencement of another round of state-wide palliative distribution for the impoverished and most vulnerable members of our communities.

“As you are aware, since the fuel subsidy removal, we have consistently offered various palliatives to mitigate the impact on the lives of our people.

“Our recent palliatives distribution targeted over 420,000 people across the state. While it is not our wish to continually give such handouts to the people, the current economic circumstances necessitated our intervention.

“ I therefore want to emphasise that we would not cease in our efforts until we overcome the challenges of poverty among our people through the various initiatives we have put in place,” he added.

While acknowledging that the removal of fuel subsidy had resulted in rising costs of living and economic hardships among citizens, the governor assured that Nigerians would enjoy its gains soon.

The governor added that President Bola Tinubu’s determination to provide better leadership will improve the economic situation, assuring that the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt refinery will contribute to alleviating the situation by providing locally refined petroleum products for domestic consumption.

 Yahaya also used the occasion to call on  farmers in the state who have not yet harvested their crops to promptly do so before the January deadline.

The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the palliatives distribution committee, Dr. Manassah Jatau, disclosed that the exercise will cover the 2,998 polling units of the state.

He explained that the flag-off ceremony performed by the governor was a symbolism that signals the commencement of the distribution exercise across the state.

He said that a total of 25 people from each of the 2,998  polling units of the state will benefit from the state-wide distribution exercise.

Jatau added that each of the 114 political wards of the state were allocated cartons of spaghetti pasta and bags of rice.

“After this state-wide distribution, the state government will extend the same gesture to the already identified clubs and associations within the state,” he said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi said the continuous distribution of relief items was part of the policy thrust of Yahaya to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state.