Hunger: Akwa Ibom Begins Direct Disbursement Of Palliatives To Vulnerable Households

The Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has ordered direct disbursement of food items including rice, beans and garri to vulnerable households in the 2,272 gazetted villages across the 31 local government areas.

The governor, at the height of the country’s economic challenges, assured the indigent citizens of his administration’s determination to make their welfare a top priority. He then launched the free food distribution policy through the state’s Bulk Purchase Agency (BPA), with the mandate to “source, buy and share staple foodstuffs like garri, rice and beans free to vulnerable persons throughout the state.”

Starting off the second phase of the palliatives distribution at Ibesikpo Asutan and Etim Ekpo LGAs, the general manager, Hon. Uyime Etim, explained that the agency is relying on the World Bank-endorsed register for the vulnerable to choose the beneficiaries.

He said: “The governor’s personal assistants in the council wards were directed to issue vouchers to only those in the register and all they do is to come here, authentic their voucher and return home with the foodstuffs.

“What we are doing today is to cushion the effects of the harsh economy on the people. It’s a temporary measure, but the governor has encouraged the people to return fully to agriculture and farming for lasting solution to the challenges of hunger and poverty.”

Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives and media consultant to the governor Hon Aniekan Umanah, said the palliative distribution is timely owing to the prevailing economic situation in the country and commended the governor for his humane disposition towards the needy.

The member representing Ibesikpo Asutan state constituency, Hon Ubong Obot, and the transition committee chairman of the council, Mrs Akon Michael Asuquo, expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for his benevolence to the less privileged and his love for the Ibesikpo Asutan people.

“The governor has been very helpful, kind and generous to our people and we will gladly vote for him again in the next elections. Ibesikpo Asutan people are indebted to the governor for all the projects he has executed here in just over one year,” she said.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with correspondents said, “The governor’s gesture has rekindled our belief that he is truly a compassionate father to all and a true man of God.”

A 72 -year -old recipient Mr. Ekemini Udoh said the governor has given him another reason to smile, ” When I go to market, I return home heartbroken because of the high cost of items, what I have gotten today will help me a lot”.