Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, officially initiated the distribution of palliatives in the state, directing the immediate delivery of 52,000 bags of rice and 52,000 bags of maize to assist the urban and rural underprivileged communities.
These palliatives consist of 200 bags of rice and 200 bags of maize allocated to each of the 260 wards across the state. Governor Mbah emphasized that these short-term measures are aimed at alleviating poverty, with his administration’s ultimate goal being the eradication of poverty in accordance with his manifesto.
He explained, “Part of our vision is to eradicate poverty in Enugu State. And we knew that at the time we were saying that, there was a high rate of poverty in the state.” However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by federal policies such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, which expanded the population in poverty.
Mbah highlighted that these palliatives are meant to provide immediate relief while the government continues to work on long-term strategies to engage citizens constructively and improve their livelihoods.
He further announced plans to subsidize transportation through the procurement of buses, making it easier for people to carry out their socio-economic activities. Additionally, his administration is committed to clearing all arrears of pensions and gratuities owed to public servants, ensuring that the elderly and most vulnerable can lead meaningful lives despite economic hardships.
Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and a member of the state palliatives committee, assured that the items would swiftly reach those in need, emphasizing that it is intended for the less privileged based on the compiled social register.
Beneficiaries of these palliatives praised the transparency and inclusiveness of the Enugu State Government in managing the distribution, highlighting the positive impact it will have on the most vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and those in rural areas.
