Delta Government has distributed 696 bags of rice as palliative to the poor, vulnerable and physically-challenged groups in the state to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
The Secretary to Delta Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said this at a meeting with the Delta State Farmers Association on Tuesday in Asaba.
He said that the farmers were the next on line to get maize and fertilisers to support their farming activities, saying that the distribution would be without ethnic colouration and political party affiliation.
He said that the palliatives distribution was aimed at ameliorating the plight of the people and the farmers, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
According to Emu, the 696 bags of rice were distributed along the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) wards comprising 20 wards in each of the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
He, however, advised the farmers not to pay money to anybody with respect to the palliatives, saying that all genuine farmers would receive their share of maize and fertilisers without hitches.
Emu, who doubles as the State Palliative Distribution Committee Chairman, assured that the palliatives from the federal and state governments would get to the right people.
“We have a template where we categorised those who should benefit.
“The problem is that maize only constitutes just a small percentage of your total cost. So, that is what the committee will work on; to look at the percentage,” he said.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Perez Omoun, thanked the federal and state governments for the proactive steps taken to cushion the devastating effects of fuel subsidy removal on the people, especially farmers in different fields.
In their separate remarks, some of the farmers said that they were impressed with the foresight of the government and pledged to put the items to maximum use.