Niger distributes ‘N20m worth of rice’ as palliative to residents

The Niger state government has commenced the distribution of subsidised rice palliative to residents of the state.

Speaking with journalists in Minna on Saturday, Mustapha Jibrin, chairman of the palliative distribution committee in Tundu-Wada south, said palliatives worth N20 million have been distributed to residents of the ward.

Jibrin who was represented by Sirajo Samaila, said the ward consists of 50 polling units and it’s the largest ward in the Chanchaga council area.

“The ward has the highest number of polling units, we agreed that 70 households from each polling unit will benefit, ” he said. 

“This is because the palliatives are enough to go round to everyone, as we purchased a large quantity of rice for distribution.”

The chairman commended the effort of the federal government and state governments for approving the palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

Last week, Umaru Bago, governor of Niger, approved the sum of N5 billion for distribution of palliatives across the state.

Each ward in Suleja, Chanchaga, Bida, and Kontagora was allocated N20 million, while the remaining wards in the  21 local governments were allocated N10 million each. 

In August, the federal government announced N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the federal capital territory (FCT). 

Through the distribution of palliatives, the government intends to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal on citizens.