Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa yesterday inaugurated local government palliatives committees to ensure the effective distribution of procured food items to people in the 18 council areas of the state.
Aiyedatiwa while inaugurating the committees at the Cocoa conference hall in Akure urged members of the committee to be equitable and transparent in the distribution of the palliatives at the grassroots.
The inauguration of Local Government Palliative committees became imperative to bring on board stakeholders at the Local Government level to see to effective distribution of the food items to the people.
Aiyedatiwa, who said government was aware of the pain caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy, assured that distribution of the palliatives at the local government level will be thorough and transparent.
He admonished members of the committee to hold meetings and plan ahead the scheduled date to ensure effective distribution of the food items to the concerned people.
The Chairman, state palliative committee Mr Wale Akinterinwa said about 9,600 bags of rice were received from the federal government with addition from the state government to reach out to the vulnerable.
Akinterinwa who said the distribution will be done in phases to accommodate others who would not have benefitted after the scheduled date emphasized that the food items are meant for all ethnic groups resident in the state and the poorest of the poor.
The chairman palliative media subcommittee, Bamidele Ademola Olateju said distribution of the palliatives will begin on the 12th of this month.
She said more advocacy will be done on media stations in the state to enlighten the public on the distribution of the palliatives at the local government level.
Olateju said shuttle buses will be free for students once they resume for 2023/2024 academic session on Monday, September 18 till December 31 this year.
She said the state government is committed to ensure transparent distribution of the food items, urging stakeholders to cooperate so the people can have confidence in the process.
The local government Palliative Committee comprises members of State executive council, members of state House of Assembly, security agencies, chairmen of the 18 council areas, Traditional leaders, Christian Association of Nigeria at the local level, Muslim community, two notable community leaders, civil society organizations and a local government official to serve as secretary.
