National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has formally handed over assorted commodities to Kaduna State Government from the National Strategic Reserve for distribution to vulnerable persons in the State.
While presenting the grains to Governor Uba Sani, the Director General of NEMA, Hajiya Zubaida Umar said the presentation of the grains was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s pledged to reduce the impact of the current economic hardship being experienced in the country .
Hajiya Umar explained that, based on the allocation table, Kaduna State has been allocated with over ten thousand bags of 50 kg of Maize, over eleven thousand bags of 50 kg of Sorghum and over four thousand bags of 50 kg of Millet.
She noted that, the food items would be shared equally to all the local government areas of the state.
“Today we are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to identified deserving beneficiaries in the communities through the constituted committees in each local government”
“Please note that, membership of the committee in each LGA is made up of the Chairman of the LGA, State Emergency Management Agency, a traditional ruler and Civil Defence Corp, Faith Based organisations JNI and CAN, Women Association, Persons with Disability Groups, Youth association, Principals of Boarding Schools, Civil Society Organisations and Media”
According to Hajiya Zubaida Umar, based on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, twenty percent of the food items for each local government should be given to religious organisations while three percent should be given to boarding schools in the local governments.
The Managing Director also drew the attention of Governor Uba Sani to the 2024 seasonal climate change prediction and the annual flood outlook.
She disclosed that, the prediction informed that, in April, May and June period, twenty five states and seventy two local government areas in the country are in within flood high risk areas, indicating heightened vulnerability to flooding.
“This vulnerability is said to persist into subsequent months of July to September with 33 States and 135 LGSs identified as high risk areas while the period between October and November has 19 states and 44 LGAs ”
Hajiya Zubaida Umar pointed out that, it is imperative to activate all plans and measures against the prediction as the season moves toward the peak.
The highly probable flood risk areas in Kaduna State are Kajuru, Kachia, Kubau, Igabi and Chikun local government area.
While receiving the items, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said his administration is committed to bringing succour to the poor, vulnerable and underserved in the state.
He disclosed that, Kaduna State Committee on Distribution of Palliatives has been doing a commendable job in distributing palliatives and those of the Federal Government.
Governor Sani assured that, the broad – based committee would ensure the grains are distributed to vulnerable Nigerians in a fair and equitable manner.
He said security agencies would also ensure that distribution trucks are not hijacked by hoodlums or diverted by officials saddled with responsibility for distribution.
The governor warned that anyone caught diverting the items will not be spared .
COV/AMINU DALHATU
