Every state to receive N5 b, 5 truckloads of rice as fuel subsidy palliative
By Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Federal Government has approved N5 billion grant plus five truck loads of rice as palliative for fuel subsidy removal to each state of the federation.
This was announced Thursday by the National Economic Council, NEC.
The NEC also approved the distribution of 40,000 bags of maize to states.
NEC also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to distribute food items to states sharing border with Niger Republic over the recent political instability in the country.
Ikengaonline reports that the NEC meeting was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting, said the approval of N5 billion and trucks of rice and grains were part of interim measures to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
He said that Government would continue to work with more enduring programmes.
According to him, states are to purchase 100,000 bags of rice and beans among other items.
He said that NEC mandated NEMA to distribute food items to state sharing borders with Niger Republic.
Adding his voice, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state, said that the review of social register was in progress.
He said Nigeria was already having refugees from Niger Republic, which according to him, is affecting the distribution of palliatives.
Meanwhile, Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, clarified that only N2 billion out of the approved N5 billion billion was released to states.
Ikengaonline had reported that prices of commodities have continued to skyrocket following the free fall of the Naira which now exchanges for over N800 per dollar.
