Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured that his administration will sustain the ongoing distribution of food palliatives across the 31 local government areas of the state to cushion the prevailing socio-economic challenges facing the people.
The general manager (GM) of the state Bulk Purchase Agency (BPA), Mr Unyime Etim, who represented the governor at the palliative disbursement to 5,000 vulnerable persons in 11 wards across 51 villages in Nsit Atai LGA yesterday, urged the beneficiaries to maintain peace as government was doing its utmost to salvage the situation.
Addressing the beneficiaries at Odot, the headquarters of Nsit Atai council, the governor observed that the distribution process was smooth devoid of stampede and violence.
The foods shared included rice, beans, and gari, which are costly and unaffordable to vulnerable persons today.
“The process is very smooth. The beneficiaries are well coordinated. Foodstuffs are given out to persons captured in the state social register. Some vouchers are returned for accountability. Our target is 5,000 vulnerable persons in this local government area,” he said.
Responding to complaints from persons who came out without the food vouchers, the governor insisted that only those whose names appeared in the state social register would benefit from the free food items.
“For some persons without the foodstuffs voucher but turned up , government will consider them in another batch. It is also a warning to those who refused to show up to be captured in the social register.
“Next time when the governor announced for registration , they will appear and will benefit from the exercise”, he warned.
The transition committee chairman, Hon Emem Ibanga, appreciated the governor for feeding the people during this period of hardship facing the nation and warned the beneficiaries to think outside the box and focus on farm work as the solution to hunger.
“We have 51 gazetted villages in Nsit Atai local government area. If the people can take agriculture as a major occupation , hunger will be chased out from our land.
“Look at the fertile land that we have in Nsit Atai. If the people will embrace farming, the present food crisis will be overcome.
“The A-R-I-S-E Agenda of the present administration of pastor Umo Eno has agriculture as a focal point . Here in Nsit Atai, agriculture is our priority too.
“Even as a local government chairman, all my food are taken from my farm. The local government has 8.5 acres of land for agriculture . We must embrace farming,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Margret Okon Otu, thanked the governor for providing the foodstuffs to rural communities.
“Please thank governor Umo Eno for me. This time, the quantity of rice is better than before . We will use it while waiting for when the economy will improve. I am happy,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Okon Ubong Etim, prayed God to bless Pastor Umo Eno, as he has the poor in mind in times of hardship.
“My God will bless pastor Umo Eno. See how he thinks about me in hard times like this. Where will I have N600 to buy a cup of rice ?” he said.
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