By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State government, yesterday, distributed about 56 trucks of grains particularly thousands of bags of rice and maize procured and given to the state government by the APC Ahmed Tinubu led administration as palliatives to cushion hardship of citizens following the removal of fuel subsidy by the present administration.
Speaking at the flag off of distribution to over 276 council wards across the state as well as other special categories of beneficiaries including Okada and Keke Napep riders, the disabled and thousands of members of the less-privileged community held at Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, headquarters in Makurdi, Governor Alia explained that the palliatives were initiative of the federal government aimed at cushioning the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal.
He further disclosed that there were no restrictions in the category of beneficiaries irrespective of political, religious or tribal affiliations, adding that the palliatives would equally be distributed to civil servants, pensioners, teachers of primary and secondary schools, leaders of trade unions and traditional rulers.
The governor who called on Benue people to continue to support his administration to deliver on his campaign promises, appealed for patience particularly among youths, disclosing that government plans to commence recruitment of staff into the state civil service in the second week of January next year as part of his administrations deliberate policy to take youths off the streets as well as breach the gap created either as a result of retirement or death of some civil servants.
The governor who described those bent on disrupting his administration as enemies of the people, appealed to the people of Benue State particularly youths to support his administration to enable him actualize his laudable programmes to develop the state.
He equally extended a hand of fellowship to investors to come to the state and do business, announcing that his administration has resolved to grant business men willing to operate in the state a tax waiver of 2 years, assuring them of the return of peace to the state and warned criminals and those bent on causing crisis in the state to leave to other places for their own good.
In a remark chairman of the palliatives distribution committee and Commissioner for Power and Transport, Omale- Omale, explained that the items distributed to members of the Benue community were a step down directive of the president to the state to alleviate the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal of the present administration and commended president Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative.
On his part Executive Secretary Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Sir James Iorpuu commended governor Hyacinth Alia and president Tinubu for providing the palliatives and assured the people that the grains would be adequately distributed to all people of the state including Internally Displaced Person’s, IDPs and specifically conveyed their appreciation to the governor on what he was doing for them.