From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties to distribute all palliatives kept in warehouses to the public.
This was in response to the recent media reports on the alleged diversion of grains donated to the state by the federal government.
The federal government had donated food commodities in many instances to the state as part of measures to cushion the effects of the current hardship occasioned by the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy.
The media had recently reported the alleged diversion of the palliatives, comprising bags of rice, maize, guinea corn and fertilisers by state officials including local government chairmen.
It also reported that the commodities were allegedly re-bagged and sold to grain dealers in Jalingo, while several bags of food items and fertilizer were sold to traders from neighbouring states.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Saviour Nokun, confirmed to journalists that it was local government areas that first got the allocation, adding that if there are cases of diversion, then it should be the council chairmen.
He confirmed that because of widespread outcry of alleged diversion of the commodities, he visited Jalingo Main Market and found such commodities therein.
The governor’s directive which was monitored by our correspondent on Tuesday indicated that the order became effective as food commodities were distributed to local government areas, government agencies and religious organisations.
Most of the beneficiaries commended Governor Kefas for being proactive in ensuring that the commodities get to the masses.
Mrs Justina Audu, a widow and staff of the ministry of justice who benefited from the distribution of the commodities, said “We are grateful to the governor for his kind gesture and zeal in alleviating the sufferings of the people”.
