Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
Imo State Government has come up with modalities on the distribution of the state’s share of the fuel subsidy removal palliatives.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural speech on 29 May, announced that fuel subsidies would be scrapped because there was no provision for it in the 2023 budget.
However, subsidy removal brought about increased transportation costs due to the high fuel prices, directly impacting agricultural production which heightened food insecurity in the country as consumers struggle to purchase daily meals at increased prices, thereby widening the income inequality in the country.
To cushion the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy on the citizens, the Federal Government on the 17th August announced N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory and also released 100,000 bags of rice to states.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, at the official flag-off of the Federal Government post fuel subsidy removal palliative distribution programme aimed at cushioning the socioeconomic effect of the subsidy removal, said that Imo State had received only N2 billion.
Governor Uzodinma further announced that the government had purchased a total of 65,000 bags of rice from local markets in the state to encourage local patronage and effective circulation of money within the state.
The Governor, while listing the template for the distribution of the bags of rice, said that the State Government inaugurated a distribution committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu.
Other members of the committee include, Commissioners, the Head of Service, the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), and other critical stakeholders including security agencies to help arrest anyone who tries to disrupt the already planned distribution pattern.
Governor Uzodimma, however, took time to roll out the distribution modalities which captured every strata of the society, both formal and informal insisting that the whole idea is to ensure the bags of rice get to the commonest man-on-the-street irrespective of party affiliations.
“The Civil Servants through the nominal roll of their various ministries and MDAs; secondary school teachers through the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB); primary school teachers through the Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB) will be accommodated,” the Governor said.
Continuing he said: “The Traders in the markets through the leadership of their various associations; Churches and clergy through the leadership of Imo State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN): traditional rulers through the leadership of their Council; Town Unions through the President Generals and their Secretaries; Government Liaison Officers (GLOs) through their coordinators, will not be left out.”
Governor Uzodinma noted that “Federal Government parastatals in Imo State, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Imo State, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will get their bags of rice through their leadership.
The Hausa community, Yoruba community, other groups and Special Citizens will also get theirs through their leadership.”
The Imo State Governor went further to reveal that every polling unit in the state will receive 10 bags of rice and that the sharing will not be based on political party affiliation.
The chairman of the distribution committee, Chief Iwu assured that the distribution would follow strictly, the provided template to ensure that the aim of the palliatives was not defeated or sabotaged.”
